Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Public Safety Staffing topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Council backs ordinance to reclassify police ranks and enable return to 10‑hour shifts
Summary
Council approved an ordinance to reclassify sworn positions in the police department — netting additional sergeant and corporal ranks and reducing officer slots — to allow the department to move back to 10‑hour patrol shifts and reassign certain sworn duties to civilian positions.
The City Council approved an ordinance amending classifications in the Temple Police Department to support a move from 12‑hour to 10‑hour shifts, staff said.
City staff explained that Chapter 143 requires the council to set classifications and authorized counts by ordinance. The action decreases one sworn police officer position while increasing sergeant and corporal ranks so the department can staff a 10‑hour shift schedule with required supervisory coverage. Staff also said two positions currently performed by sworn officers will be converted to civilian positions to manage evidence processing and logistics, allowing sworn officers to return to patrol duties.
City staff and the police chief described the change as timed to upcoming retirements and as achievable mid‑year without waiting for the next fiscal year. Staff briefed council on the post‑action counts: 21 sergeants, 19 corporals and 16 police officer positions under the new classification table presented to council.
A council member moved to approve the ordinance on first reading; council adopted the ordinance in the meeting. Staff and the chief said the change was funded in part by public‑safety assessment revenue and budget adjustments identified by the finance team, and that the modifications improve patrol supervision and operational efficiency.
Council members congratulated the police leadership and staff for the work; the ordinance will return as a final agenda item at the council’s next regular meeting for final adoption as required.
