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DeLand police outline 24-officer shortfall over four years, urge retention pay and benefits
Summary
Police Chief told the City Commission the department is understaffed against workload-based analysis and faces high turnover; leaders outlined recruitment, retention and a pending COPS grant application and asked the commission to fund negotiated retention measures.
Police Chief presented the DeLand Police Department's fiscal 2025–26 budget and staffing analysis at the City of DeLand's budget workshop, saying the department is performing well but is understaffed for the workload it now carries.
The chief told the City Commission the department currently has 67 sworn officers and 76 budgeted positions; a workload-based staffing study the chief commissioned indicates the department needs about 100 officers to meet demand. “Our patrol division requires 51 police officers; we currently have 33,” the chief said. He recommended a phased increase that would add about 24 officers over the next four years if hiring and retention stay on target.
Why it matters: Commissioners and staff said retention, not only recruitment, drives the shortfall; the department loses officers to neighboring agencies that offer higher pay, paid health care and larger sign‑on bonuses. City Manager Michael Ployce told the commission staff has costed several retention options and presented a…
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