July 26, 2022
City Attorney's Office
DATE: July 26, 2022
TO: Members of the City Council
FROM:
Mayor Tom Butt and Councilmember Nathaniel Bates
Subject:
Ballot Measure Regarding Richmond Police Department
Minimum Staffing Levels
FINANCIAL IMPACT: The cost of placing the ballot measure on the ballot is determined by the number of pages to be printed in the
sample ballot booklet – between $4,000 and $10,000
PREVIOUS COUNCIL
ACTION:
None
STATEMENT OF THE
ISSUE:
Richmond Police Department management has
communicated that a minimum staffing of 165 sworn
officers, 20 more than the current funded level of 145, would create a healthy work force with minimal overtime.
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
ADOPT a resolution to submit to the City of Richmond
electorate at the General Municipal Election to be held on November 8, 2022, an Advisory Question to restore
staffing levels in the Police Department to 165 sworn
police officers to create a healthy workforce with
minimum overtime – Mayor’s Office (Mayor Tom Butt
510-620-6503) and Councilmember Nathaniel Bates
(510-620-6547).
AGENDA
REPORT
July 26, 2022
DISCUSSION:
Richmond Police Department (RPD) management has communicated that a minimum staffing of 165 sworn officers, 20 more than the current funded level of 145, would create a healthy work force with minimal overtime.
This staffing crisis is simply unsustainable, and we must work to retain and recruit quality sworn officers. We must also support minimum RPD staffing to alleviate overtime (OT), thereby promoting better safety as well as the mental and physical well-being of our officers and community.
Our community and RPD deserve the City Council’s understanding and support to ensure we have a safe community for all.
DOCUMENTS ATTACHED:
Attachment 1 – Resolution to submit an advisory question to voters