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Chief outlines police staffing needs as Box Elder plans for growth
Summary
Police Chief Bob Connell told the Planning Commission the department is understaffed for projected growth — currently 28 sworn officers (one in academy) with about 22 applicants — and said meeting a national benchmark would require roughly 52 officers for projected daytime population; he urged planning for substations, a new facility and accreditation.
Box Elder — Police Chief Bob Connell told the Planning Commission on March 25 that the city’s rapid growth will require increases in public-safety staffing and facilities.
“We have 28. Number 29 is in the academy as we speak,” Connell said, describing current staffing, and added, “There are approximately 22 applicants waiting to go through the hiring process right now.” He told commissioners the city’s population increased from roughly 14,512 last year to 15,156 at the start of this year and that projections show the population could reach about 18,600 by 2029, with a daytime population near 25,000 as businesses expand.
Connell cited a nationwide planning metric of about 2.5 officers per 1,000 residents. “If we look at our estimated daytime population of nearly 25,000, we're gonna be looking at a base of about 52 police officers to meet that 2.5 per thousand,” he said. On response times he said current averages run between 7 and 10 minutes and added, “I would like to see that down to 2 to 3 minutes.”
He outlined options commissioners and staff are considering to meet service goals: establishing substations in southwest and northeast corners of the city, dedicated sector patrols, and design of a new police facility with expanded bureaus and a training coordinator. Connell also said the department is pursuing CALEA accreditation (international Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies) to standardize policies and improve transparency.
Commissioners asked for clarification about current staffing and recruitment; Connell said the city administrator formed a task force to study department needs and plan facility and staffing changes. The conversation framed the public‑safety chapter of the comprehensive plan as a long‑range guide to identify facility and staffing priorities as Box Elder grows.
