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Salinas police chief reports staffing shortfalls, recruitment gains and youth diversion progress
Summary
Chief Carlos Acosta told the PCAC the department is recruiting and expanding community programs while operating below authorized staffing. He reported personnel numbers, bilingual staffing gains, a lower homicide count in 2024, youth cadet and diversion program statistics, and upcoming community events.
Salinas Police Chief Carlos Acosta told the Police Community Advisory Committee on July 23 that the department is working to rebuild staffing levels while expanding community engagement, training and youth programs.
"It is not a secret that we are down several positions in officers," Acosta said, outlining staffing and recruiting metrics and new outreach efforts. He said the department has 144 sworn positions filled, is authorized for 161 sworn positions and currently has 13 openings (four of those positions are frozen). He reported seven recruits currently in the police academy and additional recruits in training. Professional staff fills 44 positions, with 11 positions to hire for that group.
Acosta highlighted force diversity and language capacity: the department listed 23…
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