Alexandria police outline 1% budget efficiencies, staffing gaps and vehicle plans

Police Chief Matt briefed the Alexandria City Council on budgetary savings he and staff identified as part of the citywide request to reduce operating costs by roughly 1% and gave an update on staffing and vehicle needs.

Chief Matt said the department’s annual budget is about $75 million and that staff had identified three areas for savings: administrative and support costs (telecommunications, mobile data devices, copier leases, office supplies, and some professional services), vacancy savings for two residential officer positions, and fleet reductions in the criminal investigations unit (including reducing rental cars used for covert operations). He told council the identified adjustments “will be no degradation in service” and are possible because the department has historically overbudgeted some line items.

The chief reported the department is authorized for 322 sworn officers and about 114 support employees. He said there are roughly 22 sworn vacancies; non‑sworn professional staff vacancies number about 34; and approximately 18 part‑time vacancies exist for security guards…