Tustin Police unveil 2025–27 strategic plan emphasizing community policing, tech and growth

Chief Tullyce presented the Tustin Police Department’s 2025–27 strategic plan to the City Council, describing the document as “the organization's pathway to the future” and outlining five core areas of focus: community engagement and trust, crime reduction and public safety, organizational excellence and accountability, workforce development and wellness, and technology and innovation.

The chief said the plan refines earlier work into a three‑year horizon to align priorities, goals and resources with the city’s growth. He told the council the department will reorganize area commands to reduce response times, move toward smaller neighborhood beats and explore staffing increases to serve a population that the department expects to grow; he noted the plan contemplates a department that could expand to roughly 175 personnel (a mix of sworn and professional staff).

Chief Tullyce described several near‑term technology and policy initiatives: adopting Lexipol (a subscriber‑based policy service used widely in California) to keep policies current with case law and new statutes; implementing a new CAD/RMS (computer-aided dispatch and records management) system; upgrading body‑worn cameras; exploring AI tools to reduce routine report time; and launching an online police reporting system. “We need to expand our community engagement initiatives through active collaboration with our external partners and stakeholders,” the chief said, adding the department will “build trust” through training, business outreach and youth programs.

The plan also includes wellness and workforce development measures. The chief proposed peer‑support programs, nutrition and financial‑wellness initiatives, leadership succession planning and a facility dog program for staff support and victim assistance. He said the department will explore a modern police facility and conduct a space‑needs assessment to support anticipated staffing growth and operational needs.

Council members broadly praised the presentation. Council member Gallagher commended the plan’s detailed actions and its focus on e‑bike safety and a potential modern police facility. Another council member described the proposed real‑time information center as a “major force multiplier.” Council members also noted that the plan will incur implementation costs and that specific schedules and funding plans will follow in future briefings.

What happens next: the council did not take a formal vote on the strategic plan at the meeting; the chief said staff will refine costs, schedules and facility options and return to the council for future budget and planning decisions.