November 7, 2023
Police Department
DATE: November 7, 2023
TO: Mayor Martinez and Members of the City Council
FROM:
Bisa French, Chief of Police
Subject:
18-Month Plan to Eliminate Mandatory Overtime within
the Richmond Police Department
FINANCIAL IMPACT: The City Manager will have Finance provide an assessment on recommendations.
PREVIOUS COUNCIL
ACTION:
N/A
STATEMENT OF THE
ISSUE:
Due to staffing shortages, police personnel have been
forced to sign up monthly for mandatory overtime shifts.
The department has developed a plan to curtail the need for mandatory overtime within the next 18 months.
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
RECEIVE a written report which outlines the Richmond
Police Department’s strategy to eliminate the need for
mandatory patrol overtime signups within the next 18
months – Police Department (Chief Bisa French 510-621-
1802). This item was continued from the October 3,
2023, meeting.
DISCUSSION:
Richmond Police Department
Mandatory patrol overtime has been a longstanding concern within the police department. While mandatory overtime has been necessary to meet operational needs, AGENDA
REPORT
November 7, 2023
demands, and minimum staffing obligations, its consistent use has resulted in officer fatigue, diminished morale, and the potential long-term negative impacts on performance, injury, and mental well-being. The primary drivers of mandatory overtime are multi-faceted. The significant issues that impact patrol staffing include officer retirements (service and industrial), officers leaving the City of Richmond for employment at other municipal and state police agencies, and officers who have left the profession altogether to pursue other career interests. These issues, and others, have historically caused vacancy rates to outpace hiring new officers over the last few years.
Considering this information, the police department developed a plan which aims to address these issues while suggesting ways to optimize our staffing resources both currently and into the future.
The primary objective of this plan is to systematically eliminate mandatory overtime within the police department’s patrol teams over the next 18 months. Implementing this plan will ensure a more sustainable and healthy work environment for our officers while maintaining the highest public safety standards and service to the community.
DOCUMENTS ATTACHED:
Attachment 1 – Powerpoint Presentation