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Supervisors fund five sheriff positions amid homicide and illicit‑grow concerns
Summary
After hearing from Sheriff Matt Bridal about increased violent crime and high vacancy/injury rates, the Board approved funding for five sheriff's positions; staff said near‑term cost likely about $500,000 and Prop 64 funds will cover two investigator positions.
Sheriff Matt Bridal told the Board of Supervisors that Mendocino County is experiencing a surge in violent crime tied in part to illicit marijuana grows and transnational trafficking groups, and that the department is operating under increasing personnel strain with multiple injured staff and an effective vacancy rate that could reach the mid‑40s.
“Right now, we're dealing with some pretty violent crime... We have transnational drug trafficking organizations working in our areas,” Bridal said, explaining the request to restore five previously unfunded positions.
Administrative Captain Jason Caddillo described operational impacts: multiple first‑line supervisor vacancies, long overtime exposure, and a need to replace investigators and supervisors to maintain public safety. He said hiring laterals would reduce training time and offered a five‑position funding estimate of about $1 million per year — though Interim CEO Sarah Pierce told the board the near‑term cost after hires/backgrounds is likely closer to $500,000.
Caddillo noted the department has secured Prop 64 funding that will pay for two investigator positions over five years (estimated at approximately $500,000 over five years), and said the sheriff is pursuing other grants to offset costs.
Board members described public safety as the county’s top mandate and voted unanimously to approve funding, agreeing to pursue one‑time funds for the current year and to seek ongoing funding sources in subsequent budget cycles.
What happens next: The sheriff’s office will continue recruitment (including lateral hires) and work with CEO and HR staff to identify one‑time funds for this fiscal year and plan for ongoing budget impacts; HR and Finance will report back during budget monitoring.
