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New police chief outlines priorities: preserve core operations, expand traffic cameras and grow SROs while trimming lower‑impact functions
Summary
Chief Stratton said the police budget would rise about 2.39% driven by salaries/benefits and internal rates despite targeted personnel reductions; he flagged expanded RedFlex red‑light cameras, growth in school resource officers and traffic‑safety technology as priorities.
Police Chief Stratton presented the department’s proposed fiscal‑year 2026–27 budget and priorities, saying the department had identified efficiencies and personnel reductions but still projects a net budget increase of about 2.39%.
Stratton told the council the department sought to preserve core emergency operations, sustain evidence‑based crime‑prevention strategies, and reduce noncore work while minimizing impacts on vital services. He said personnel and benefits increases (medical, workers' comp, CalPERS) are principal drivers of the net rise. The chief said the department is roughly 94–95% staffed against a complement of 512 (about 460–470 on the roster, with 35 officers in the academy).
Traffic and prevention: Stratton highlighted expansion of the RedFlex red‑light camera program (about doubling cameras in the coming year) and interest in new automated speed and crosswalk enforcement technologies pending state law changes. He also described expansion of school resource officer (SRO) partnerships with local districts that offset some salary costs and provide safety and mentoring benefits.
Why it matters: the department proposes technology and partnership shifts intended to improve traffic safety and create some revenue/efficiency gains while maintaining patrol staffing levels. Council members asked for comparative metrics on staffing and red‑light camera results over time to assess effectiveness.
Next steps: staff will include these items in the May 18 budget summary and bring metrics as requested; no final votes were taken on the police budget at the workshop.
