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New police chief cites traffic safety, RedFlex expansion and SRO growth among budget priorities
Summary
Chief Stratton outlined priorities to preserve core public-safety operations, sustain evidence-based crime-prevention strategies, and reduce lower‑priority functions; he highlighted plans to expand RedFlex cameras and school resource officers while pursuing efficiencies and technology for traffic calming.
Police Chief Stratton presented a brief budget overview that emphasized three core priorities: maintaining essential public-safety operations; sustaining proactive, evidence-based crime‑prevention strategies with measurable outcomes; and identifying reductions in lower‑impact functions while minimizing impacts on vital services.
Stratton said the department sought efficiencies, including position reclassifications and overtime reduction, while expanding programs that can help offset costs such as school resource officers (some funded by school districts) and an expanded RedFlex traffic-camera program intended to improve roadway safety and generate program revenue.
He told council the department is approximately 94–95% staffed against a complement of roughly 512, with about 35 officers in the academy. Stratton said he expects growing real-time information capabilities and technologies over the next few years to create further efficiencies.
Council members asked about staffing comparisons with peer cities and the value of the RedFlex camera program; Stratton said Bakersfield is relatively lean compared with some peers and that doubling the number of RedFlex cameras in a phased approach is planned. He also acknowledged state law and policy limit some newer technology pilots (for example, AI‑based camera enforcement), which may require legislative change before full deployment.
Where it stands: The police department will proceed with phased camera expansion and work with school districts on SROs; council asked staff for comparative staffing metrics to inform long-term decisions.
