Police chief outlines staffing shortfalls, drone program and evidence storage concerns

San Angelo Police Chief Travis briefed council members about persistent staffing shortfalls and operational stress, and outlined investments the department expects to pursue, including automated drones, a real‑time crime center and a future evidence‑storage or facility replacement plan.

Why it matters: Chief Travis said vacancies and the need for specialized investigators have strained patrol resources, raised reliance on overtime, and limited the department’s ability to pursue proactive policing programs. He described investments in technology—drones and a real‑time crime center—as force multipliers that can accelerate investigations and reduce the number of officers required at scenes.

What the chief said: - Staffing and operations: The department is recruiting but remains below peer cities for per‑capita police spending and detective staffing, and Chief Travis said many officers are early in their careers: “Our average officer…about 76% of our department is below 5 years of experience.” He reported constrained detective capacity compared with peer departments. - Drone and real‑time crime center plans: The chief described a program where autonomous drones could be dispatched immediately by public‑safety dispatch to provide near‑instant scene images: “As soon as dispatch keys it to be sent out, it would immediately take off and head towards that location.” The department seeks grant funding and partnerships (including the Texas Motor Vehicle Theft Task Force) to obtain drones and license‑plate reader technology. - Evidence storage: Chief Travis said the department’s current evidence storage is fragmented across multiple sites and lacks capacity. He presented year‑five goals that include seeking a purpose‑built facility or interim portable storage to secure evidence and consolidate operations.

Funding and constraints: Chief Travis said grant funding has helped secure equipment and training but cannot fill all staffing and facility gaps. He asked council to consider long‑term capital planning for a consolidated facility; no specific funding request or vote was recorded during the briefing.

Ending: The chief said the department will continue recruiting and pursuing grant awards while preparing facility proposals and technology‑fund requests for council consideration.