The Paso Robles Police Officers Association wants more boots on the street and less butts behind desks, according to a press release issued Oct. 16 that criticized the city administration’s recent move to hire a retired sergeant into a previously unfilled position.
“The PRPD already has a large supervisory staff,” association president Tony Ruiz wrote. “We feel patrol officers are what is needed and would benefit the citizens of Paso Robles.”
Ruiz explained that the department currently has 28 sworn officers, nine of whom are supervisors. In June, the City Council voted to increase the total ranks to 32, but at the time, the POA advised that a vacant sergeant position not be filled until the department returns to its full allotment of 46 sworn officers.
The POA said that hiring four additional patrol officers would have allowed the department to maintain a minimum of four officers on patrol per shift.
This article appears in Oct 18-25, 2012.