July 28, 2026
Police Department
DATE: July 28, 2026
TO: Mayor Martinez and Members of the City Council
FROM:
Timothy Simmons, Chief of Police
Matthew Stonebraker, Police Captain
Subject:
Authorization for Temporary Housing of Police Academy
Recruits to Participate in South Bay Regional Public
Safety Training Consortium
FINANCIAL IMPACT: The proposed expenditure of up to $31,236.13 will provide temporary lodging for two Police Recruit
Trainees. The California Commission on Peace Officer
Standards and Training (POST) is expected to reimburse
up to $27,000 of the lodging cost, subject to applicable eligibility and documentation requirements. After
reimbursement, the estimated net cost to the City is
$2,236.13, plus a $2,000 contingency. Sufficient funding is included in the approved Fiscal Year 2026–2027 Police Department budget (Account String: 01191021-400243).
PREVIOUS COUNCIL
ACTION:
None.
STATEMENT OF THE
ISSUE:
The Richmond Police Department has qualified recruits
ready to begin academy training, but limited availability at regional police academies could delay hiring and
increase the risk of losing candidates to other agencies.
City Council approval is needed to authorize use of the South Bay Regional Public Safety Training Consortium
Police Academy and related temporary lodging so
recruits can begin training promptly and have the support needed to complete the academy successfully.
AGENDA
REPORT
July 28, 2026
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
AUTHORIZE the temporary housing of two (2) Richmond
Police Department Police Recruit Trainees from August
23, 2026, through February 19, 2027, while they attend
the South Bay Regional Public Safety Training Academy,
in amount not to exceed $31,236.13, which includes a
$2,000 contingency – Police Department (Chief Tim
Simmons 510-621-1802/Captain Matthew Stonebraker
510-621-1204).
DISCUSSION:
Recruiting and retaining qualified police officer candidates remains a priority for the Richmond Police Department. The Department has qualified recruits who are ready to begin academy training, but available seats at regional police academies are limited and often fill months in advance. The Department has already committed four recruits to the next Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Academy class beginning September 14, 2026, leaving limited capacity for additional recruits.
Waiting for future academy openings could delay hiring and increase the risk of losing qualified candidates to other law enforcement agencies. Using the South Bay Regional Public Safety Training Consortium Police Academy will allow the Department to place additional recruits in an available academy class and begin training without unnecessary delay. It will also provide greater flexibility by reducing the Department’s reliance on a single regional academy.
Police academy training requires long days of classroom instruction, physical fitness training, defensive tactics, firearms training, scenario-based exercises, and study outside academy hours. Providing temporary lodging near the academy will reduce lengthy daily commutes, minimize fatigue, support recruit wellness, and improve the likelihood of successful academy completion.
The Department evaluated the following temporary lodging options near the academy:
Housing Evaluation
After evaluating cost, reliability, flexibility, and suitability for an extended academy assignment, the Department recommends the Residence Inn by Marriott – San Jose South. The Residence Inn is the lowest-cost option evaluated and provides a professionally managed extended-stay environment.
Housing Option Estimated Cost
1 Residence Inn by Marriott – San Jose South $29,236.13 2 Airbnb, two-bedroom house $29,450.69
3 Hyatt House Santa Clara $43,104.60
July 28, 2026
The two recruits will share one two-bedroom suite. Each recruit will have a separate bedroom and will share the kitchen, living area, and other common spaces. The estimated cost of $29,236.13 reflects the total lodging cost for both recruits during the 180-day academy period.
The suite includes kitchen facilities, Wi-Fi, housekeeping services, and access to on-site laundry, complimentary breakfast, and 24-hour hotel staff. These accommodations will allow the recruits to focus on academy training while reducing concerns related to short- term rental availability, property maintenance, or cancellations.
Financial Impact
The California Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training provides lodging reimbursement of up to $75 per day per eligible recruit attending an approved academy.
For two recruits attending the South Bay Regional Public Safety Training Consortium Police Academy from August 23, 2026, through February 19, 2027, the estimated financial impact is as follows:
Description Amount
Residence Inn lodging cost $29,236.13
Less: POST reimbursement, 180 days × $75 × two recruits ($27,000.00) Estimated net City cost $2,236.13
The Department will pay the lodging cost and seek reimbursement from the California Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training, subject to applicable eligibility and documentation requirements. The reimbursement is expected to offset most of the cost, resulting in an estimated net City expense of $2,236.13.
City staff recommend that the City Council authorize temporary lodging for two Richmond Police Department recruit trainees from August 23, 2026, through February 19, 2027, while they attend the South Bay Regional Public Safety Training Academy, in an amount not to exceed $31,236.13, including a $2,000 contingency.
DOCUMENTS ATTACHED:
Attachment 1 – Quotes
Attachment 2 – POST Training Reimbursement Request, Frequently Asked Questions