PART TWO:
New Resources, New Leadership, and Opportunities for Change
Staffing and Infrastructure Our interactions with the new Chief have been limited, but did include a chance to get details about his vision for responding to several of VPD’s staffing and resource challenges. As discussed below, we find particular value in several of them. They strike us as being appropriate remedial measures (to bring the number of sworn officers closer to past service levels, and to meet infrastructure needs such as an upgraded headquarters facility) and as worthy approaches to enhancing operational effectiveness and community ties. Obviously, budgetary considerations are central to the viability of these measures, and the influence of the COVID 19 crisis is certain to be as widespread as it is adverse from both a health and resource perspective. Moreover, we are usually reticent about advocating for police resources, in recognition of the ways that even very worthy expenses are competing for limited dollars with a jurisdiction’s other needs. But the Police Department is objectively understaffed and has been for some time. It has effectively made its case that it genuinely needs more personnel and other supports to the degree that City resources exist to fund them – now and in the years to come. We talk in more detail below about additional sworn officers and some potential approaches to recruiting and retaining them. The following are other structural or staffing changes – each with financial implications – that also deserve consideration. •
New Station: The City has supported relocating the police station to an already existing structure on Mare Island Way. The current facility is in poor condition, and a new station will undoubtedly enhance the effectiveness of VPD personnel and improve morale. While, as with most capital projects, the “move in” date for all personnel is months away, the current plan is to move at least some units to the area in short order. Such a staggered approach is prudent because it will demonstrate to personnel a
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