Staffing study urges Piedmont PD to add administrative sergeant and crime analyst to focus proactive time

Matrix Consulting presented a staffing study of the Piedmont Police Department that recommended two priority measures: an administrative sergeant to remove collateral administrative tasks from field sergeants and a crime analyst to turn officers' proactive time into targeted, accountable activity. Richard Brady of Matrix summarized the study's aim "to look at each function within the department and to look at their workload, their operations management, and to determine, are our staffing levels right, currently?" and cited a notably high measure of proactive time in Piedmont patrols.

Police Chief Jeremy Bowers said the department already sees large blocks of proactive time (Matrix presented an average of roughly "82%" proactive time in certain charts) and supported approaches that would both create career development paths and improve accountability. The presentation also recommended exploring reclassification of detective roles and evaluating regional or shared-service options for dispatching and analytic supports where fiscal or staffing constraints exist.

Council members asked about next steps, bargaining and budget timing, and interoperability with new dispatch/RMS systems. Staff recommended a strategic workplan that ties hiring or reclassification decisions to budget cycles and labor negotiations and suggested exploring alternatives such as shared analysts with neighboring agencies or part-time per-diems for dispatch.

The council did not adopt staffing changes at the meeting; staff and the chief said they will return with implementation planning and cost estimates integrated into the city's budget process.