UPDATE -PUBLIC SAFETY STAFFING EMERGENCY
Jason Ta, Chief of PoliceFebruary 11th, 2025
1 2
0 20
40 60
80 100
120
140
160
20052006200720082009201020112012201320142015201620172018201920202021202220232024 VPD Sworn Staff Count
ADJUSTMENTS FOR LOWER STAFFINGService Model Reduction (“Phase #1”)•Prioritize responses to certain calls for service (CFS) -CompletedRotation of Officers to Patrol Shifts (“Phase #2“)•Non patrol officers filling vacant patrol slots -CompletedTemporarily Eliminate (“Collapse”) Traffic Division (“Phase #3”)•Collapsed Traffic Division -Completed Modify Patrol Shifts to 12-hours or Another Staffing Model (“Phase #4“)•Due to recent staffing trends, Phase #4 does not appear to be needed 3 –By July 2025, expect to…•Assign an Officer back to reconstituted Traffic Unit–Occurring ahead of schedule-Jan 2025•Assign an Officer back to federal task force•Assign four Officers to a dedicated Problem Oriented Policing (POP) Unit–Increase number of Police Assistants (community service officers) over time to supplement Officers–Effective October 28, 2024, a Police Assistant was assigned to the Traffic Unit to address abandoned vehicles full time.
Staffing Level Has Begun to Increase Modestly
4 4
6 CURRENT STAFFING NUMBERSTotal Sworn Staffing7678Modified Duty Officers33Off on Worker’s Comp.22Sworn Working Full Duty7173 Anticipated Officers Resigning10Officers Starting /Final Offers00 Officers Working Patrol3838Supervisors Working Patrol (Sgts)55 12-17-24Current
–Sheriff’s Office retired annuitants (SB 1379)•Approved by Gov. Newsom the end of Sept 2024•Continuing discussions with Solano Sheriff–Request for assistance from the CHP•CHP assistance for sideshow detail–Expansion of the Security Guard program–Retention, Recruitment, & Referral incentives –Expansion of technology to help reduce crime and aid with investigations Options Being Explored to Supplement Officers
Recently Hired PD Staff
Ofc. Devin Gunn was born in Vallejo and raised in Vacaville. He served honorably in the US Marine Corps from 2014-2018. Prior to working in Vallejo, Ofc. Gunnworked at Richmond PD for approximately a year and a half. In his free time, he enjoys working out and training martial arts. Ofc. Gunn is honored to be able to serve at the Vallejo Police Department Ofc. Jorge Grajeda Chavez started his career with Vallejo PD in 2021 as a Police Cadet. During this time, he earned a bachelors degree in psychology. Ofc. Grajeda Chavez worked for the Vallejo Police Department for three years before being sponsored to attend the academy. Working in the Vallejo Police Department helped him understand that law enforcement is a team sport. He hopes to use what I learned over the years to help the community of Vallejo. In his free time, he enjoys training in martial arts and spending time with family and friends.
Ofc. Trenton Westrope was born in Hayward, California and raised in Sunol, California where he graduated from high school in Livermore. He is a recent graduate of the Alameda County Sheriff's Office Police Academy. In his free, he enjoys fishing, riding dirt bikes, fitness and spending time with my family. Ofc. Westropewas inspired to pursue a career in law enforcement after always looking up to his grandfather, who was a police officer for the University Of California Berkeley.
Recently Hired PD Staff
Ofc. Michael Young was born and raised in the Ohio. He served 4 years in the Marine Corps as an aviation firefighter. After his military service ended, he became a correctional officer for San Quentin State Prison from 2016-2023. In 2024, Ofc. Young was sponsored through the police academy by VPD where he earned the number one spot for performance in my academy class. In his free time, Ofc. Young loves spending time with family, friends, hitting the gym and traveling.
Ofc. Rafael Mondragon’sdream has always been to be a police officer. He has a deep passion for the profession. In 2022, he was hired as a police assistant by the Vallejo Police Department. Through his position, he was able to gain valuable training and experience from experienced command staff and police officers. In 2024, Ofc. Mondragon was given the opportunity to be sponsored through the police academy by VPD. He chose the Vallejo PD because of its strong sense of camaraderie and support. Ofc. Mondragon is a bilingual police officer, and is committed to serving my community with professionalism, respect, and integrity. He believes that being bilingual will allow him to connect with a broader range of community members. Ofc. Mondragon's goal is to uphold the values of the Vallejo Police Department, ensuring that every individual he encounter feels valued and heard.
Recently Hired PD Staff
Comm Op I Anjelika Khadka
Comm Op I Brie Gathright
Comm Op I Deborah FeminisComm Op I Tiana Ham
Tiana has 11 years in Customer Service. She previously worked for VPD as a Records Clerk from 2018-2022. Tiana most recently worked for the Contra Costa Superior Court. In her free time, she likes to play video games, travel, and hike with her dog. She is also a big "foodie" and loves to try new cuisines.
Deborah grew up in Suisun City. She spent a lot of time in Vallejo attending weddings and fiestas at Dan Foley. Deborah would love to be a part of Vallejo returning to a safe place to visit.
Brie Gathright grew up in Solano County and currently lives in Vacaville. She is a prior COV employee, was employed as a truck driver and has also works in logistics. Brie enjoys gardening, being with her animals and traveling.
Anjelika Khadka was born in Nepal and immigrated to the United States as a child. Anjelika grew up in Contra Costa County and currently lives in Vallejo. She worked as Administrative Clerk at San Pablo PD prior to joining VPD. In her free time, Anjelika loves to hike and play volleyball. She is currently pursing a degree in Political Science.
CONTACT(S)
Jason Ta, Chief of Police
Hello. Thank you for your service. 9 A- Amending Title 16 of our Municipal Code. It is hoped that this Amendment will make us less of a Bedroom Community, that it encourages development of Workforce Training. That it perpetuates our General Plan’s 12 Intersections of Mixed uses for a 15-minute City. That we will not build right next to our River and off our “Squishy” areas West of Harbor Way and Mare Island Way, but to our Downtown. So, do the height limits of Downtown need to be adjusted Up? But, on Page 141 it says No Residential in Waterfront Commercial Areas. Worthy, but does this preclude us from having Houseboats in our abandoned Basin A? But, throughout the Amendment it eliminates Open Space requirements. As we Urbanize, it is hoped that we will continue to create a little breathing room for our residents. Especially In our Downtown and our commercial intersections. We will miss the pocket parks, small plazas, etc. If not, then pay into an In Lieu Fund for Open Space creations. Of topic, possibly, but amend the Ordinance that governs Noticing. When the Proposal affects more than 500 feet, say a Proposal at our Waterfront, Notice to the affected Region. 9D. Processes contain more Public Input? Questionnaire in Vallejo Weekly? Media Postings for Input? In person, continue opportunities for Public Input.
Thomas Judt District 5 GVRD Board member – COV Appointed February 11, 2025 COV Council MeeEng 2-11-2025 Agenda Item 9.F Council Appointments to Various Commissions, Boards and CommiKees Honorable Mayor and Council Members, I realize that the Greater Vallejo RecreaEon District (GVRD) is not listed in this resoluEon, even though the city council does make appointments to this board. Following is a list of the perEnent Public Resource Code (PRC) secEons that inform and direct the number and civic capacity of board appointees to GVRD, by the City of Vallejo and the County of Solano. 1. GVRD Enabling Act – Public Resources Code (PRC) 5780- 5796.2 2. PRC 5785.1(b) a. In the case of a board of directors that has been appointed by more than one county board of supervisors or city council, the board of directors shall adjust the proporEonate distribuEon of the appointments before November 1 of the year following the year in which each decennial census is taken. If at any Eme between each decennial census, a change of organizaEon or reorganizaEon alters the populaEon of the district, the board of directors shall reexamine the proporEonate distribuEon of appointments. If the board of directors finds that the populaEon of the district has varied so that the distribuEon of appointments is no longer proporEonate, the board of directors shall adjust the proporEonate distribuEon of appointments accordingly. The board of directors shall make this change within 60 days of the effecEve date of the change of organizaEon or reorganizaEon. The county board of supervisors or city council shall appoint members to the board of directors as vacancies occur. 3. PRC 5783.5(a) a. The board of directors may be elected or appointed by the county board of supervisors and the city councils in which the district is located. If the board of directors is to be appointed, the board of supervisors and the city council or councils shall appoint directors according to the proporEonate share of populaEon of that porEon of the county and each city within the district, provided that the board of supervisors and each city council shall appoint at least one director. The board of supervisors or city council may appoint one or more of its members to the district board. 4. Solano County GIS services returned the following populaEon results within the district boundaries for GVRD. a. Vallejo – 119,685 b. County – 3,441 5. SummaEon a. Currently COV appoints 3 members to the board of GVRD, the County appoints 2. b. GVRD is required to, and has not, adjusted the ‘proporEonate distribuEon” in accordance with PRC 5785.1(b) c. COV should appoint 4 board members, according to PRC 5783.5(a), the County 1. Currently COV does not have the required voter representaEon on the board of directors for GVRD. d. COV & the County may appoint its members to the board of GVRD PRC 5785.1(b) Thank you for taking the Eme to receive these comments. I hope that you find them informaEve in future discussions. Thomas Judt