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Sunset police report thin staffing after flu, officer injury; fire department logged 46 calls in January
Summary
Police Chief Jamieson told the council the department is operating with reduced staff because of flu and an officer's surgery, and said schedule adjustments will continue; the fire department recorded 46 calls in January.
Sunset Police Chief Jamieson told the City Council on Feb. 4 that the department is operating with reduced staffing after a flu outbreak and an officer who dislocated a shoulder and is out of duty following surgery.
Jamieson said the injured officer is expected to be out through June and that the department is "running on paper thin staffing." To cover shifts the department will adjust schedules, including shorter shifts, and rely on trainees and existing officers to fill patrols. He said trainees are performing well but emphasized the department is making schedule changes to maintain coverage.
The mayor reported the fire department handled 46 calls in Sunset in January. Council members and staff commended the departments for their service and noted the strain caused by the staffing shortages.
Jamieson also summarized a recent Washington, D.C., trip by members of the department, saying the trip was a valuable experience and that reimbursements for that trip were processed. He said staffing shortfalls have led the department to consider schedule changes such as moving from 10-hour to 8-hour shifts for the next two to three months to maintain coverage.
No formal council action was taken on staffing during the Feb. 4 meeting; council members asked department leadership to manage schedules and keep the council informed of needs and impacts.
