Police outline technology and evidence‑storage investments and describe continued staffing and training priorities

Police leaders presented three primary 2026 budget needs: additional technology funding, build‑out and staffing of a newly acquired evidence storage site, and continued investment in training and recruitment to address vacancies and maintain accreditation standards. Why it matters: technology investments and the evidence facility aim to centralize operations and improve investigative capacity; staffing and training affect patrol coverage and community policing. The police chief told the board the department seeks approximately $1.6 million for technology overall and about $1.3 million tied to vehicle/radio and NVR technology upgrades. The department said it had purchased a property at 1200 West Third to serve as an evidence storage facility and to eventually house other units, including the real‑time crime center; the department intends the facility to be fully staffed by 2027. On staffing, the chief reiterated the department’s persistent vacancies: an authorized sworn strength includes a substantial number of positions but the department reported roughly 73 vacancies at one point during the cycle; ongoing recruitment and training steps aim to reduce that number. The department runs periodic recruit classes and has required annual in‑service training: the chief said recruits attend a 24‑week academy now expanding to 26 weeks to add more communications and scenario training. All sworn personnel also perform 40 hours of annual in‑service training; the department funds outside training opportunities, noting payment of roughly $5,000 a year to the Criminal Justice Institute for training resources. Chiefs emphasized a philosophy of community policing that they said should be embraced by every officer, in addition to specialty units and outreach efforts. The presentation did not include a formal vote. The chief said more detailed budget requests and staffing schedules will be provided in follow‑up documents as part of the October budget deep dive.