Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Police Budget topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Police chief lays out staffing, training and vehicle requests and presses need for larger headquarters
Summary
Police Chief Mitch McKinney told the council the department finished year one of its strategic plan, is pushing trust-building and training goals, requested a part‑time crime-data analyst and flagged future officer hires and a long‑term police headquarters project after finding the current facility is about 6,200 square feet.
Mebane Police Chief Mitch McKinney told city council members at a budget workshop that the police department completed the first year of its three-year strategic plan and has begun implementing an International Association of Chiefs of Police trust‑building campaign and related policy alignment.
McKinney said the department's 2024 accomplishments include designating a division commander at the rank of captain, creating additional lieutenant positions and purchasing three new patrol vehicles. "We purchased 3 new patrol cars," he said, noting the department worked ahead of supply‑chain issues to secure vehicles.
The chief described recruitment and training metrics: the department is near 90–90+ percent Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) training for officers and currently has three open officer positions, plus one sponsored candidate in BLET who may join after testing. "We're in pretty good shape with recruitment and retention," McKinney said, while warning the city may need more officers as population and development grow.
For the coming budget, McKinney requested one part‑time crime‑data analyst to help analyze incident volumes and share statistical information with the public. "We are looking at, if approved, utilizing and having a part time crime data analyst who will help us analyze the large amount of data that we collect in a more efficient way," he said.
McKinney also urged the council to consider long‑term space needs for the department. After reviewing building measurements, he said, "our building is actually 6,200 square feet," roughly half the size some had assumed, and that the department has outgrown its current facility. He said a new headquarters would also free space for other city departments and provide room for training, community programming and improved operational efficiency.
City Manager Richard White and other council members asked staff to verify the square footage and to consider timing, funding options and development sequencing; no formal funding decision or motion was taken during the workshop. The council will continue budget discussions at followup sessions before the manager's recommended budget is released for public hearing and adoption in coming months.
