BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KBFX/KBFX) Chief Terry of the Bakersfield Police Department discussed the future of staffing and recruitment efforts within the department.
“With the passage of the Public Safety and Vital Services Measure back in 2018-2019, we really set about to increase the department’s complement. The authorized staffing level by a hundred officers,” he said.
Bakersfield police chief discusses staffing and recruitment efforts (KBAK)
Since 2019, the department has hired 272 recruits and graduated 168. Recruitment remains a key initiative, despite challenges faced by many cities in policing.
“We’ve had challenges just like every other city with regard to policing in particular. We’ve been through a lot over the last five or six years,” Terry noted.
Bakersfield police chief discusses staffing and recruitment efforts (KBAK)
Chief Terry praised his team for their efforts in building capacity and relationships, and for marketing the police department and the profession as a “wonderful, noble profession.”
On the topic of officer salary contracts, Terry stated, “Well, that’s not something I’m directly involved in. The city manager and the city council make all those kinds of decisions, but we are in the midst of labor negotiations and budget conversations at large.”
Bakersfield police chief discusses staffing and recruitment efforts (KBAK)
He emphasized his role in advocating for the resources the department needs.