San Diego P.D. Chief says department needs more money....Well Pacman, is it true?
San Diego's police chief said his department needs more money and that without a bigger budget, more officers will resign and public safety could be at risk.
Chief William Lansdowne said taxpayers should be proud of his department. He said officers have helped to keep crime down without the equipment and backup help they need.
But, Lansdowne told a City Council committee his budget is not big enough to pay competitive salaries. He said his department has fewer police officers per 1,000 residents than most large U.S. cities.
The officers desperately need new vehicles, radios, bulletproof vests and other equipment, along with more office space for employees, according to the police chief.
Lansdowne said it will take two years to hire enough officers to reach budgeted levels. He warned that if salaries do not improve, more officers will leave to work in other cities or counties.
"It is heartbreaking to me as chief of police," Lansdowne said.