Police and Fire Department staffing levels
Summary
The fire department expects at least four vacancies by early next year, and the police department is down 15 officers with four retirements coming, leaving roughly 151 deployable officers. Both departments are rolling out new recruitment tactics — farmers markets, Gambler games, rebranding, and possible TV appearances — to fill the ranks.
At a glance
- Total mentions
- 4
- Last 30 days
- 1
Discussed at 1 meeting in the last 60 days; most recently Oct 8, 2026.
Impact analysis
The fire chief's budget requests — three firefighter reclassifications and up to two division chief positions — aim to cut overtime, while the departments are trying to stay under a 3% budget increase.
Residents get faster emergency response if the departments can fill vacancies and reduce overtime strain.
Current officers and firefighters are absorbing heavy inverse overtime and extended leave burdens while staffing is short.
Mentions & discussions (4)
Police and Fire Commission - Oct 8, 2026
The fire department expects at least four vacancies by early next year, and the police department is down 15 officers with four retirements coming, leaving roughly 151 deployable officers. Both departments are rolling out new recruitment tactics — farmers markets, Gambler games, rebranding, and possible TV appearances — to fill the ranks.
Personnel Committee - Mar 10, 2026
Alderperson Hinkfuss flagged that the police department has been running short-staffed for years — 15 officers down as of March 3 — and pressed for recruitment incentives like relocation money to apply to officer recruiting.
Police and Fire Commission - Mar 5, 2026
Police are at 175 of 190 positions filled with 158 fully deployable officers; more retirements are expected in March. The Fire Department will hit four openings after an April 1 retirement, with a recruit school coming up.
Police and Fire Commission - Jan 8, 2026
The Commission approved several key promotions, including an Assistant Fire Chief, a Battalion Chief and two Police Sergeants, plus promotional lists for Detective, Lieutenant and Sergeant. These moves shape the leadership of both departments that residents rely on for emergency response.
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