Salinas police chief outlines staffing shortfalls, recruitment push and youth programs

Salinas Police Chief Carlos Acosta told the Police Community Advisory Committee on July 23 that the department is actively recruiting to fill several vacant sworn and civilian positions, expanding community engagement and youth programs, and emphasizing officer wellness and crisis‑intervention training.

Acosta said the department is authorized for 161 sworn positions and currently has 144 filled; seven recruits are in the police academy and the department reports 13 current openings (four of those positions are frozen). Professional staff count is 44 with 11 positions to hire. Acosta explained that, after accounting for recruits in the academy and personnel on light duty, the number of fully trained officers available for duty is lower: he cited a fully trained on‑duty figure of about 114.

Staffing and recruitment: Acosta said the department has hired seven lateral candidates since his November appointment and is running outreach efforts including oral‑board assessment events, attendance at community career days and partnerships with local media to boost recruiting. He said Spanish language capacity has grown from about five Spanish‑speaking officers in 2000 to 69 (including recruits), representing roughly 48% of sworn positions; female representation stands at 23 officers (about 15% of sworn positions).

Crime and investigations: Acosta highlighted the department’s declining homicide numbers and arrest work: 36 homicides in 2016 and six homicides in 2024, and he reported a homicide solve rate of 66.7%. He credited a combination of investigative work, community cooperation and technology for recent case resolutions.

Youth and diversion programs: Acosta described a growing cadet program (35 cadets; cadets collectively contributed more than 1,200 volunteer hours in 2024) and a youth diversion program that Acosta said began in January. Police Service Administrator Tanya Erickson clarified diversion metrics: six youth are currently enrolled, five are pending enrollment, three are under evaluation and five have graduated since the program began in January. Erickson also noted the youth and family support services team has assisted 20 families since April. Acosta said two staff positions that support community engagement and diversion (an administrative analyst and a community outreach assistant) were made permanent in July; a third grant‑funded position remains unfilled and the department is exploring options to add capacity.

Wellness and training: Acosta said the department is prioritizing organizational wellness through peer support, chaplaincy development and training on topics such as emotional survival for law enforcement and sleep health. He said the department aims for comprehensive crisis intervention training and estimated that 92–94% of sworn members have completed crisis intervention training, with the department working to reach 100%.

Community outreach and events: Acosta invited PCAC members to National Night Out on Aug. 5 at the Salinas Sportsplex and to the department’s promotional ceremony on Friday, Aug. 1 at 1 p.m. at the rotunda. He outlined outreach activities at schools, career days and other community events; a 2024 tally included 102 presentations and more than 19,000 community contacts.

Public comment and requests: In public comment, resident Eric Peterson urged training for officers on interacting with people who have hearing or other disabilities and asked the committee to confirm whether a sweep had occurred at the First Methodist Church of the Homeless. Committee members requested future agenda items including an annual departmental report, updates on unhoused response, ride‑along procedures, and a gang‑awareness presentation.

Why it matters: The chief’s report lays out staffing levels and program investments that shape how the department responds to public safety needs, engages youth and supports officer wellness. Several items—staffing, diversion capacity, and data on calls for service—were flagged for follow‑up by the committee.

Key numbers (reported to PCAC): authorized sworn positions 161; filled sworn positions 144; recruits in academy 7; current sworn openings 13 (4 frozen); professional staff 44; fully trained on‑duty officers ~114; Spanish‑speaking officers 69; cadets 35; 1,200+ cadet volunteer hours (2024); youth diversion enrolled 6, pending 5, under evaluation 3, graduated 5.