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Ridgecrest police budget emphasizes staffing, body cameras and drones while transports to Bakersfield strain patrol time
Summary
The police department’s FY26 budget presentation highlighted staffing increases partly funded by Measure V and P, startup costs for body‑worn cameras, continued use of Flock license‑plate cameras, a new drone program, and operational strain from frequent long transports to the county’s Lerdo/Bakersfield facilities.
Ridgecrest’s police chief told the council the police budget for FY26 focuses on staffing, equipment upgrades and operating needs and relies on Measure V and Measure P allocations to fund positions and services.
The department listed personnel, vehicles, and technology among its priorities. Staff said Measure V supports 18 police department positions (plus smaller allocations to public works and streets), and Measure P is being used to reinstate four police officer positions along with a dispatcher and records support and to cover bond debt service related to the pool project.
The police chief described several equipment and…
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