Marina Police face staffing shortage
There could soon be a staffing crisis in Marina if police officers keep leaving for other areas. They’re going to other police departments for better salaries.
The police officers association told the Marina City Council Tuesday night, they just want salaries that are competitive with other law enforcement. But the mayor says it’s not actually that simple.
Nearly a quarter of Marina Police Officers are leaving the department for other law enforcement jobs on the Central Coast.
“We’re just no longer competitive as a department to recruit or retain other officers,” said Seth Morten, a Marina police officer and POA board member.
Though officers are satisfied with their work, they say the pay and benefits aren’t sustainable.
“Like anyone else in their profession too, if they can go across the street or to another job and make significantly more, they’re willing to do that for their family,” Morten said.
It’s leaving the Marina Police Department short staffed.
“From 3 a.m. to 3 p.m. we only have two officers patrolling the streets,” Morten said.
The city says it wants to help and fill vacant positions but it’s a budgeting issue.
“We have to fit within our budget and we have to pay attention to the income that we get and the expenses that are going out just like a household budget,” said Marina Mayor Bruce Delgado.
“Those costs are going up significantly so every time a cost goes up we have to figure out how we’re going to pay for it,” Delgado said.
That’s something the union says it’s tried to work on with the city.
“When we first approached them with the proposal, we had on there that we would make additional contributions into our own retirement from our own money as well,” Morten said.
The city is still negotiating with all employees but, the mayor says he’s hopeful.
“It’s my expectation that everyone in the city of Marina is going to get somewhat of a bump coming up but we can’t really go into specifics,” Delgado said.
The mayor told KION they’re also having trouble filling a firefighter position that’s been empty for several years.
