Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Police Department Renaming topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Stockton Unified board renames Department of Public Safety to Police Department, citing confusion and recruitment problems
Summary
After a presentation from the district's chief, the board unanimously approved Resolution 24-19 (6-0, one absence) to revert the "Department of Public Safety" name to "Stockton Unified School District Police Department," citing interagency confusion, recruitment issues and an estimated $111,000 vehicle-wrap cost to be covered by the department.
The Stockton Unified School District Board of Trustees voted to adopt Resolution 24-19 to change the district's Department of Public Safety name back to the Stockton Unified School District Police Department, a measure officials said will reduce confusion with outside law enforcement and help recruitment.
Chief Franco told the board the inconsistent use of "Department of Public Safety" had created operational problems: "we are a full ... California sworn Police Department" and the name led some outside agencies to question whether SUSD officers had access to confidential law-enforcement information and peace-officer authority. He said the change is intended to make the department's authority clear when seeking records or coordinating with other agencies.
The chief said a department analysis and an informal officer survey showed the naming difference affected recruitment and day-to-day operations. He also said a district survey showed over 90% of respondents either supported the change or were neutral, and that changing vehicle markings would be the largest permanent cost at about $111,000, which the department would cover.
Trustees asked for clarification about whether unfamiliar agencies or jurisdictions were the source of the difficulty; the chief said the problem occurred most often when staff or officers engaged with agencies outside Stockton who were not familiar with the district's public-safety model.
The board moved, seconded and approved the resolution by roll call vote. The chair announced the motion passed 6-0 with Trustee Alicia Rico absent.
The resolution takes effect as the district completes administrative updates (vehicle wraps, internal documents and signage). The chief said the department would continue its community-safety commitments and compliance obligations under the district's agreement with state or federal oversight offices.
What happens next: District staff will implement the vehicle and document changes described by the chief; the board did not set a separate funding vote for the wrap cost because the chief said the department would cover it.
