Police union presses Richmond leaders to return Detective Hodgeges and settle contract

Several members and leaders of the Richmond Police Officers Association used the meeting’s public-comment period to press the council to return Detective Hodgeges to work and to speed negotiations on a new police contract.

"At some point it stops being an issue and becomes an issue of leadership," said a caller identifying himself as Benio, president of the Richmond Police Officers Association, criticizing the city manager’s handling of the detective’s administrative leave and saying the delay "sends the wrong message on public safety" (SEG 027–031). Nathan Lonzo, speaking on behalf of the POA, said Richmond previously improved public safety by negotiating competitive contracts that allowed the city to recruit experienced lateral officers, and urged the council to act now to preserve staffing and morale (SEG 049–056).

Alexander Kaine, Kevin Leis and other POA-affiliated speakers repeated similar points: they described Detective Hodgeges as a long-serving officer and said keeping him off duty weakens the department and public confidence, while negotiating a fair contract is essential to recruit and retain officers (SEG 076–094, SEG 067–075).

Council did not take action during public comment. The city manager, Shasa Curl, later explained that she bases personnel steps on written reports and that she will move forward on personnel matters only when she has an adequate administrative record; she also noted ongoing labor negotiations with multiple bargaining units (SEG 099–106, SEG 652–656). The record shows robust union pressure for immediate personnel decisions and an accelerated bargaining timeline but no formal council directive at this meeting.