Saint Paul Police present 2026 budget; overtime down, PEO ranks trimmed and academies uncertain

The Saint Paul Police Department presented its proposed 2026 operating budget to the Saint Paul City Council Finance and Budget Committee, outlining staffing changes, one‑time investments and several funding gaps that will affect recruiting and downtown safety work. Chief Axel Henry said the department is focused on reducing gun violence, improving retention and increasing community collaboration while managing a budget where "92 and a half percent of our entire budget is salaries, wages."

The department reported a 30% year‑to‑date reduction in general‑fund overtime compared with the same period in 2024 and estimated that drop translated to roughly $600,000–$650,000 in lower pay costs so far. Chief Henry credited operational changes, shift borrowing across districts and other efficiency measures for the improvement, while warning that data collection after a recent city IT outage remains incomplete.

Why it matters: salaries dominate the police budget, so small changes in headcount or contract pay can have outsized effects. Committee members repeatedly pressed the chief about whether the department can sustain hiring and training without continued grant support for academies and specialized programs.

The budget and key items - Staffing and vacancies: The presentation lists a proposed net reduction of 16.53 FTEs for…