Council presses for immediate staffing plan after Belvedere sergeant announces retirement

The Belvedere City Council asked staff to return next month with a ready-to-implement plan to shore up police coverage after the city manager said a current sergeant has requested retirement.

"After a successful 5 year stay in Belvedere, sergeant Sabido has requested his retirement," City Manager Robert said, announcing the vacancy and the intent to open recruitment for the fifth officer. Council members responded they were concerned about a near-term coverage gap and urged the city to seek immediate interim coverage from neighboring agencies or third parties rather than wait for a full recruitment cycle.

Chief Wu described the typical hiring timetable and the constraints that limit how quickly a replacement can start. "Once the background's completed, which could be as short as a month or 2 or even as long as 2, 3 months depending how complicated the background is, then the person is scheduled for a polygraph," Chief Wu said, adding that medical and psychological clearances and a field-training period follow. Chief Wu noted that bringing on a lateral officer could shorten post-hire training.

Council members pressed staff for an implementation timeline and immediate options for relief. One council member said the city should not wait until September to have a plan in motion and urged staff to present a concrete midterm solution the council could implement in August. Robert said Tiburon has already filled at least one shift and staff are reaching out to Mill Valley and the county for additional coverage while recruitment proceeds.

Next steps: staff has opened recruitment and will continue interviews; council requested a specific interim staffing plan at the next meeting. The council did not adopt a formal motion beyond requesting staff return with a plan.