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Police chief cites staffing shortfalls, outlines plan for speed-camera ordinance
Summary
Police Chief Wade reported seven current patrol vacancies, recent increases in calls and arrests, and described plans to bring a vendor-backed speed-camera ordinance and contract to the board in coming months; chief said initial sites are chosen and DOT approval will be required.
Police Chief Wade told the Board of Aldermen the department is handling increased calls and enforcement while operating with vacancies and recent injuries to staff. "Right now, I have 7 openings for police officers. I also have 2 officers in the academy," he said, describing a patrol strength of approximately 32 with roughly 22 officers available on any given day.
Wade said the department has covered gaps by shifting funds and using overtime, but recruiting and retention remain a challenge: "We are doing a lot to try and recruit officers in. We have recruitment bonuses, education bonuses. We go to job fairs." He also said the department has achieved tier 2 accreditation and is working on tier 3.
On speeding, the chief described work with an outside vendor on a municipal speed-camera program authorized by state law. He said the program would require a contract and a city ordinance, and noted the state Department of Transportation must approve applications. "The good news with it is it comes at 0 cost to the municipality," he said, while adding the city would still need to hold public hearings and develop an ordinance. He expects the ordinance and a vendor presentation in February and a public session in March.
Why it matters: The chief tied routine public-safety complaints (speeding) to staffing challenges and presented a pathway for a data-driven speed-camera program that, if adopted, would change enforcement tools available to the city.
What happens next: Chief Wade said he will provide data and identified streets to the board; the city will draft an ordinance and the vendor will do a short presentation before the board considers scheduling a public hearing.
