Lindsay approves police recruit classification to fill vacancies, chief says it will not add staff

The Lindsay City Council on March 11 approved a police-recruit classification designed to let the public-safety department hire and sponsor reserves through academy training without increasing the city’s authorized staffing levels.

Public Safety Chief Rob told council the recruit classification is meant to substitute for existing vacancies, not increase total full-time-equivalent positions. He said the recruit rate would be $24.10 per hour — about 5% below step 1 for a public-safety officer — and that the city would sponsor recruits through the police academy. Recruits would sign a three-year agreement; if a recruit leaves before the term ends, they would repay the minimal training costs the city advances.

Chief Rob said the approach lets the city “handpick” reserves who have already been observed in a reserve program and sponsor their final academy phase, increasing retention while avoiding overfilling the department. He said the recruiting tool would be used only when an actual vacancy occurs.

Council members asked for clarification about current staffing. Chief Rob said the budget accounts for 12 officer positions; the department currently has 10 active officers, two candidates in background, and expects two additional departures to Tulare County Sheriff’s Office in the coming weeks, which is why the timing is time-sensitive if recruits are to enter the April academy. After questions, Council member Soria moved approval; the motion was seconded and passed 5–0.

The council approved item 12.1 by voice vote; staff said any hires using the recruit classification would be recorded under the city’s existing FTE allocation and would not increase the authorized headcount unless future council action authorized new positions.