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Police report: Ontario outlines staffing, equipment needs; MARCS radio upgrade estimated $254,000
Summary
Chief Tom Hill told council that calls for service are up, the department faces recruitment challenges, MARCS radio updates will cost $254,000 and take three to four months, and Officer Dillon Baily — shot in 2023 — returned to an administrative role supported by a service dog.
Chief of Police Tom Hill told Ontario City Council on May 12 that calls for service are up this year and the department expects to handle approximately 4,000 additional calls. Hill described the department’s use of the National Testing Network for entry-level police exams, noting seven candidates are in process and two are moving forward; one vacancy will open in a month due to the upcoming retirement of Lt. Brian Williams after 25 years of service.
Hill provided time estimates for investigative work (for example, analysis: roughly 5–30 hours; high-complexity investigations: 300–600 hours). He also briefed council on planned updates to the MARCS radio system, saying the upgrades will take three to four months and cost $254,000. The minutes do not specify the funding source for that expense.
The chief also recounted the department’s efforts to support Officer Dillon Baily, who was shot three times in the line of duty on Feb. 11, 2023. Baily has returned in an administrative detective capacity; Hill noted the department’s work to facilitate that return and introduced a new service dog, Tilly, to support the officer.
Hill thanked council for funding to maintain and update equipment and acknowledged Assistant Chief Rob Griefenstine for his support and readiness to perform chief duties when needed. The minutes record no vote on the MARCS upgrade funding at this meeting; any fiscal appropriation or contract authorization would require separate action by council.
