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Public safety report: hires, equipment changes and grant work discussed
Summary
Council received a public safety committee update that covered police hiring and equipment purchases, the Criminal Justice Training Commission firearms restriction and associated replacement purchases, fire department staffing and a potential SAFER grant to add personnel.
The council received a report June 9 from the public safety committee on staffing, equipment and grants for police and fire services.
Councilmember Cleveland McGrath summarized the June 3 committee meeting with Police Chief Floyd and Fire Chief Harris. She reported the police department had filled five levy-funded positions and had four vacancies remaining; oral boards were completed and two new hires were in the academy with expected graduation in July. Because of hiring timing, the city postponed purchase of three vehicles last year; staff said ordering timelines mean vehicle lead times of nine to 12 months and purchases will be considered at the upcoming council retreat.
Committee members discussed a statewide Criminal Justice Training Commission decision removing a common training firearm from CJTC facilities after an incident elsewhere; the city has begun purchasing replacement firearms and will complete range training and qualification for officers, with planned completion mid-summer. Councilmember Cleveland McGrath said about 35 replacement weapons will be purchased to equip officers and spares.
On fire services, the committee reported a recent Anacortes High School graduate completed the academy and joined the department and that a lateral paramedic has been hired; one vacancy remains due to a recent resignation. Staff noted a $30,000 payment to a boat builder to begin construction of a new fire boat, and that point support grant funding of $30,000 had come through. The committee also discussed the SAFER grant that could fund three positions (three firefighters or battalion chiefs added as firefighters) for approximately 36 months; staff will provide additional details as the grant process progresses.
Council thanked public-safety staff for preparations for upcoming events and for responsiveness to community safety concerns. No formal action was taken; the item was a committee report and preparation for the council retreat and budget planning.
