PISMO BEACH COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
Agenda Item #12.A
SUBJECT/TITLE:
POLICE DEPARTMENT UPDATE
RECOMMENDATION:
Receive Police Department Update.
BACKGROUND:
The City Council will have the opportunity to review information regarding crime trends/statistics, staffing, dispatch, parking, community service technician position, current projects and community involvement. The City Council will be briefed on the accomplishments and challenges the department faced during the 2022 calendar year.
Semi-Annual Department Update
From January 2022 through December 2022, the Police Department noted a 10% decrease in overall workload compared to 2021. Of the reportable incidents, the Police Department saw a 1% decrease in Part 1 crimes and a 19% decrease in Part 2 reportable FBI crime offenses. There are several factors that may have contributed to this reduction in reportable incidents. These factors may include the reduction in hotel occupancy and visitors to the city, staffing vacancies, and workload trending back to pre-Covid numbers.
One of the challenges the Police Department encountered in 2022 was the number of officer vacancies due to long-term injuries and open positions. This is not unique to the Pismo Beach Police Department, as agencies across California and the nation are struggling with high turnover rates, an increase in the number of officers out on medical leave, and the hiring of qualified police candidates. The Police Department is working on addressing these challenges with the development of two new programs. To assist with officer and staff wellness, the Police Department is in the process of developing a Peer Support Program. This program will provide special training to officers and staff to help address some of the common challenges faced within the profession. The state recognizes the challenges faced related to officer wellness and has allocated $50,000,000 to be distributed to all law enforcement agencies to help in this area.
Additionally, the City has developed a recruitment team that is working on strategies to bring qualified staff to the City of Pismo Beach.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no direct fiscal impact from this report.
ALTERNATIVES:
1. Receive briefing and ask questions to staff.
2. Receive briefing and direct staff for items to be presented at next briefing.
Council Agenda 4-4-2023 12.A-1
ATTACHMENTS:
None.
Submitted by: Jeff Smith, Chief of Police Meeting Date: April 4, 2023 City Manager Approval:
Council Agenda 4-4-2023 12.A-2