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Police department pushes $6.5 million station request, seeks vehicles and an additional officer
Summary
Police Chief Rockenbach told council the department is fully staffed now but seeks three upfitted patrol vehicles for FY26/27, one additional patrol officer to complete four-person squads, and reiterated a $6,500,000 state appropriation request for a new police station.
Police Chief Rockenbach reviewed equipment, staffing and facility needs and framed them as investments in response capacity and recruitment. He said the department has been successful filling positions but wants one additional patrol officer to complete a four-officer squad and requested three vehicles and a used surveillance vehicle in the coming fiscal year.
Rockenbach highlighted an active state appropriation request for a new police facility and described limitations of the current building, noting it was converted from a library and is more than 60 years old. He said a new station would allow dedicated space for investigations, training and partnerships with outside agencies. “We submitted the appropriation request in the sum of $6,500,000,” he said.
The chief also detailed technology plans — including a CitizenConnect mapping rollout, data analytics and a drone program — and said those tools require facilities capable of supporting modern evidence, storage and analysis workflows.
