City Council Agenda
Memo to:
Manteca City Council
From:
Stephen Schluer, Police Chief
Prepared by:
Lana McBroom, Budget Manager
Date:
February 17, 2026
Subject:
Authorization to Overhire Three Police Officer Positions
Recommendation:
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Adopt a resolution authorizing the Manteca Police Department to overhire three Police Officer positions to address current staffing shortages and approving a related budget appropriation to support the overhire.
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Background:
The Manteca Police Department is experiencing a critical staffing shortage due to multiple sworn officers being on extended worker's compensation leave with no foreseeable return-to-work dates. Three officers have been unable to perform law enforcement duties following traumatic incidents. Medical providers have indicated that these absences are not short-term, and return-to-duty timelines are currently unknown. These absences date back to June and October 2025.
In addition, the Department currently has other officers on worker's compensation who are either projected to return later in 2026 or are working in limited, modified-duty capacity. As a result, patrol staffing levels are significantly strained, requiring frequent backfilling of shifts to maintain minimum coverage levels. This has led to increased mandatory overtime, employee fatigue, and operational stress, impacting morale, safety, and service delivery.
Authorizing the overhire of three Police Officer positions would allow the Department to stabilize patrol operations, reduce reliance on overtime, and maintain appropriate public safety service levels while affected officers remain on extended leave. Overhiring is a temporary staffing strategy intended to maintain operational continuity during prolonged absences and does not permanently increase authorized staffing levels.
Fiscal Impact:
The overhire requires an increase in FY 2025-26 General Fund (Fund 100) appropriations of $242,000, consisting of $79,500 for one-time ...
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