Desert Hot Springs City Council Approves Increase In Police Staffing

DESERT HOT SPRINGS, CA — The Desert Hot Springs City Council has approved an increase in police staffing to reach an eventual target level of 45 officers.

In their meeting Tuesday, council members unanimously voted to adopt a resolution to hire two sworn officers each year over the next five years.

Officials say each Desert Hot Springs Police Department officer costs the city $185,000 per year.

Police Chief Steven Shaw presented a staff analysis to the council on July 7 conducted by the Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training that recommending the positions be filled.

The POST study identified numerous departmental operational gaps "with the most significant focused on under staffing, shift coverage gaps, high overtime costs and community expectations," according to the report.

Councilman Gary Gardner said Tuesday that the increase is "a great plan, and it's going to keep us on track to keeping us safe in the valley."