Officer
  • Honoring The Fallen
  • Publications
  • Subscribe
  • Advertise
  • Forums
  • Contact Us
  • Vehicles & Fleet
  • Tactical
  • Training & Careers
  • On The Street
  • Investigations
  • Command/HQ
  • Technology
  • Virtual Academy
  • Stations
  • Podcasts
  • Product Guide
  • Topics
    Vehicles & FleetTacticalTraining & CareersOn The StreetInvestigationsCommand/HQTechnologyProduct Guide
    Resources
    ForumsProduct GuideHonoring The FallenBy ContributorsExpert InsightsPublicationsWhitepapersWebinarsOriginal ContentJobs
    User Tools
    SubscribeAdvertiseContact UsPrivacy PolicyTerms & Conditions
    https://www.facebook.com/officercom
    https://www.linkedin.com/company/officer-com
    https://twitter.com/officercom
    1. Investigations

    Calif. Dept. Looks at Contracting Out for Officers

    Oct. 18, 2012
    Facing its worst police shortage in over a decade, Oakland is considering contracting with outside law enforcement agencies to help patrol streets

    Oct. 18--OAKLAND -- Facing its worst police shortage in over a decade, Oakland is considering contracting with outside law enforcement agencies to help patrol streets and stem the increasing tide of violent crime.

    While talks are still preliminary, city officials have broached the idea of paying for sheriff deputies and highway patrolmen to work in Oakland for several months while the city's police academy cadets finish up their training.

    The outside officers would boost Oakland's undermanned police department without the red tape involved in actually hiring new officers, said Councilmember Libby Schaaf, who discussed the idea this week with Alameda County Sheriff Greg Ahern.

    "For the next year, we need to supplement our manpower," she said. "I just don't think we can tolerate crime getting any worse in this city."

    Major crimes are up 20 percent citywide this year. Burglaries are up about 40 percent over last year, and the city has already recorded 100 homicides.

    Meanwhile the police force stands at 629 officers, down from a high of 837 four years ago. Officers are being required to work mandatory overtime just to fill beats.

    The city has begun one academy and is planning for two additional ones. But high attrition rates mean the force is expected to dwindle to nearly 600 officers when the first academy graduates in March and potentially drop below 600 by the time the 40 recruits finish their field training next fall.

    Sheriff's

    deputies have assisted Oakland police previously for special operations such as patrolling sideshows. But the city is now considering bringing them in to work on a daily basis.

    Sheriff Ahern said the county is willing to provide deputies if the city can pay for them, and he gets the green light from the City Council and the police union.

    Union President Barry Donelan said he's not opposed in principle to bringing in outside officers but would need to see a final proposal.

    Ahern envisioned Oakland paying for deputies to work full time in the city, potentially on violent crime task forces with Oakland and CHP officers.

    "If they wanted to do this and they wanted it to be effective, I think it should be an every day operation," he said.

    Oakland Police Chief Howard Jordan told council members on Tuesday that he was looking at hiring other agencies to come work in Oakland. He was unavailable for comment on Wednesday.

    Ahern said he spoke briefly with Jordan about the idea but hasn't gotten a proposal from the city specifying how many officers it wanted or how it would deploy them.

    Oakland also doesn't have any money budgeted to pay for deputies, whose salaries with benefits average $158,000 a year.

    The city might have unexpected tax revenue or otherwise could dip into its reserves to pay for the officers, Schaaf said. "I would hope it could be accomplished without making any cuts."

    Contact Matthew Artz at 510-208-6435.

    Copyright 2012 - Contra Costa Times

    Continue Reading

    New Orleans' Next Police Chief Sworn In: 'This Is About Me Serving You'

    Mass. State Police Academy Sees Large Loss of Recruits in Training Class

    Sponsored Recommendations

    Whitepaper: A New Paradigm in Digital Investigations

    July 28, 2023
    Modernize your agency’s approach to get ahead of the digital evidence challenge

    A New Paradigm in Digital Investigations

    June 6, 2023
    Modernize your agency’s approach to get ahead of the digital evidence challenge.

    Listen to Real-Time Emergency 911 Calls in the Field

    Feb. 8, 2023
    Discover advanced technology that allows officers in the field to listen to emergency calls from their vehicles in real time and immediately identify the precise location of the...

    2022 Transparency and Trust Report - Public Safety & Community Relationships

    Nov. 16, 2022
    Veritone releases its 2022 Law Enforcement Transparency and Trust Report delivering Five Key Findings of Community Sentiment on Policing

    Voice your opinion!

    To join the conversation, and become an exclusive member of Officer, create an account today!

    I already have an account

    Latest in Investigations

    SeventyFour / iStock / Getty Images Plus / Getty Images Illustration: Kermit Mulkins © Endeavor Business Media
    2310 Ofc Rinv P03
    Investigations

    How to Catch A Criminal: Catch, Escape, Repeat (Part 1)

    Officer Brendan Rodela, Contributing Editor
    Nov. 15, 2023
    Investigations

    Jury Deadlocks in Trial of Texas Police Officer who Fatally Shot Suspect

    Nov. 15, 2023
    Photo 93378515 © Brphoto | Dreamstime.com
    Video Cameras

    Video: NYPD Officers Attacked after Asking Group to Stop Smoking

    Joe Vince
    Nov. 15, 2023

    Most Read

    Watch Injured Phoenix Police Officer Throw Out 1st Pitch in World Series

    Video: Thousands Turn Out to Mourn Slain Pa. Police Chief

    Focus on Transition Training With De-Escalation

    Sponsored

    Whitepaper: A New Paradigm in Digital Investigations

    Listen to Real-Time Emergency 911 Calls in the Field

    Officer
    https://www.facebook.com/officercom
    https://www.linkedin.com/company/officer-com
    https://twitter.com/officercom
    • Contact Us
    • Advertise
    • Do Not Sell or Share
    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms & Conditions
    © 2023 Endeavor Business Media, LLC. All rights reserved.
    Endeavor Business Media Logo