San Jose police expected to announce plan to change staffing levels

SAN JOSE (KGO) -- San Jose police are gearing up for major staffing changes. They are desperate for more officers and without new recruits, current cops will be forced to work more.

San Jose Police Chief Eddie Garcia, the mayor, city council members and the police officers association are discussing plans to have officers work mandatory overtime to address critical staffing levels.

The department continues to face operational challenges including responding to 911 calls. To meet the minimum staffing levels, the department will now require 252 10 hour shifts per week. Currently, officers volunteer to work overtime. ABC7 News spoke to one officer off-camera who said officers have mixed feelings about this change and expected it to happen any day now.

The San Jose Police Officers Association said there is no easy fix, but will support this decision.

"The staffing crisis certainly affects officers' decisions of staying or leaving in San Jose. What we know is, the amount of OT working now is unsustainable. We are working with the chief of police to look at all kinds of methods, including mandatory overtime, which we have agreed to," said San Jose Police Officers Association Vice President James Gonzales.

Officers said they work four 10 hour shifts. They said one positive aspect of this change could mean a more predictable schedule.

There are 839 officers in a city of one million.