Novato police officers criticize city leadership

A statement from the Novato Police Officers Association.

Over the past two weeks, our department has experienced the loss of three sworn officers, with a collective experience of over 40 years and nearly a million dollars in training and recruitment costs.

This significant and ongoing turnover benefits other jurisdictions, highlighting the failure of City of Novato – City Government leadership to prioritize public safety. The cost to replace and train these officers will exceed half a million dollars, adding a substantial financial burden to our community.

In the past two years alone, the police department has spent approximately 4 millions dollars on hiring new officers. (This money could have sure been used for capital improvements… )

Despite this substantial investment, we remain short-staffed, which hampers our ability to serve effectively. Much of this money could have been allocated toward retaining our experienced officers, ensuring stability and continuity within the department.

The time and resources required to onboard new officers will lead to increased overtime and further strain our department’s capacity. More importantly, the departure of seasoned officers diminishes the quality of service essential to public safety. While the Novato Police Department’s administration and the NPOA remain committed to community engagement, service, mentorship, and professionalism, the ongoing turnover severely limits our ability to fulfill the mission.

This situation is not a reflection of departmental leadership but a clear call to the City of Novato’s leadership to make smarter decisions with a focus on public safety. We urge city officials to address this urgent issue, prioritize retaining our experienced officers, and allocate resources effectively to safeguard our community’s well-being.