Police chief outlines overtime drivers; council debates whether drones and Axon reduce staffing needs

Chair introduced a requested review of police overtime given anticipated budget constraints. Chief Jamie Leonard said the department began 2025 with a 60–70-person shortage and that a prior policy paid overtime for training instead of adjusting schedules; the department has since required police activity reports for all overtime to improve oversight.

"As of month 3 of this fiscal year, we're at a $500,000 of overtime spent. This time last year, we were at [about] $1.3 million," Chief Leonard said, noting uncertainty about a Munis reporting error in FY2022 and asking finance staff to verify some figures. He said roughly 1,100 overtime hours a month go to criminal investigations and about 800 to crisis-management (SWAT/EOD) activities; those investigative hours are not easily reduced without changing service levels.

Council members pressed whether technology (drones, Axon systems) is reducing the human footprint. Chief Leonard said drones "have saved us a drastic amount of time and money" for day-to-day calls and overwatch, but acknowledged they do not eliminate the need for officers in barricade or critical incidents. Several council members said technology is a force multiplier but expressed skepticism that it alone will reduce overtime or staffing needs.

The council requested continued oversight, schedule adjustments within the collective-bargaining agreement where possible, and verification of overtime figures by finance staff as the budget process continues.