Police departments and the Sheriff's Department exceed their overtime budgets by $35.4 million combined, report says
Every police department in San Diego County and the Sheriff’s Department exceeded their overtime budgets last fiscal year, at least in part because of staffing challenges, a new report says.
The ratio of officers to population remained well below the national average, with 1.3 officers per 1,000 residents compared to 2.4 officers per 1,000 residents nationally. Escondido and Chula Vista had the fewest, at 1.05 per 1,000 residents. Cynthia Burke, SANDAG’s senior director of data science, said in an interview that she believes several aspects of the job raise a question for many: Why be a police officer? She noted that officers deal with complex issues, such as homelessness. Burke also said some officers feel it’s harder to crack down on crime because of state law changes such as Proposition 47, which reclassified certain types of low-level drug and property crimes as misdemeanors instead of felonies.
The expenses are expected to continue. In late February, San Diego police Chief David Nisleit reported to the City Council that his department anticipates it will exceed its $40.2 million overtime budget by $9.2 million in the current fiscal year. The chief, in a memo, cited a shortage of patrol officers as the main reason. Other factors were busy holidays and special events, including the Padres playoff run.
Australia Latest News, Australia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
SAPD to open substation on South SideThe San Antonio Police Department will open a new police substation on the South Side.
Read more »
'Horrible' bill banning police dogs from being used in arrests would 'embolden' criminals, sheriff saysCalifornia lawmakers are considering banning police from using K-9s to arrest suspects or for crowd control. Proponents say police dogs have a violent, racist history.
Read more »
New Jersey attorney general 'doing a full diagnostic' of Paterson Police Department after state takeoverThe New Jersey attorney general tells us his office is 'doing a full diagnostic' of the police department in Paterson following the state takeover last month.
Read more »
Racist text messaging investigation rocks Northern California police departmentThe messages, which detail Antioch officers allegedly using racial epithets and homophobic slurs, could have far-reaching implications for criminal cases linked to the officers.
Read more »
Tucson Police Department still searching for hit and run suspectAmanda Ramsay is still hoping someone comes forward after her husband was killed biking last August.
Read more »