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San Gabriel police chief outlines staffing shortfalls, new cameras and community outreach
Summary
Chief Elizalde gave a detailed update on the police department’s staffing shortages, technology upgrades (20 Flock cameras), mental‑health and wellness partnerships, recruitment efforts, and plans for facility improvements, while council members probed responses to homelessness and patrol staffing strategies.
San Gabriel Police Chief Elizalde delivered an extensive review of the department’s operations, telling the City Council that staffing shortfalls and aging technology are the department’s biggest near‑term challenges while also outlining recent investments and partnerships.
The chief said 17 of 20 Flock vehicle‑license‑plate cameras have been installed and are operational; the remaining three cameras were expected to be active within days, and staff training and policy work were underway before regular use. He described work to replace or upgrade the department’s CAD/RMS and body‑worn/in‑car camera systems and said the department is evaluating vendors for a long‑term plan.
Elizalde highlighted new mental‑health and wellness supports, including a contract with Counseling Team International for 24/7 confidential counseling for first responders and collaboration with Didi Hirsch for training and suicide‑prevention work. He said community engagement efforts have grown, with social‑media followers rising from about 1,200 to 3,500, and the department held large community events (National Night Out) and dozens of neighborhood engagements.
On staffing, the chief outlined projected losses to retirement and resignations that will pressure patrol shifts: the department is currently below its authorized sworn strength (allotted 39 officers) and is actively recruiting; 14 candidates were in various stages of the hiring pipeline but the chief cautioned typical attrition through background checks can reduce yields to only a few new hires. He proposed creating a corporal rank and two civilian police service officers to strengthen supervision and free sworn officers for patrol duties.
Councilmembers and the public pressed the chief on recurring demands on officers to respond to homelessness and mental‑health calls. The chief said the department’s MET (mental evaluation team) and follow‑up work try to produce long‑term solutions, but acknowledged those incidents can consume a substantial portion of officer time and that community and county resources are still needed.
Council asked about drones, K‑9 replacement and National Night Out formats; the chief said drones and K‑9 capabilities remain on the department’s multi‑phase plan but that staffing priorities and training schedules will determine exact timing. The council expressed support for continued community outreach, more transparent communication about patrol and recruitment, and a future staff report addressing homelessness response options.
Ending: Chief Elizalde will return with updates on staffing projections, implementation timelines for camera and RMS upgrades, and potential civilian staffing recommendations.
