THE WATSONVILLE POLICE DEPARTMENT IS ONE OF 266 DEPARTMENTS ACROSS THE COUNTRY THAT HAVE BEEN AWARDED A COMMUNITY ORIENTED POLICING GRANT BY THE U-S DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE. THE GRANT GIVES THE WATSONVILLE P-D 3 HUNDRED SEVENTY FIVE THOUSAND DOLLARS TO HIRE 3 OFFICERS FOR 3 YEARS. HOWEVER, THE CITY OF WATSONVILLE MUST CONTRIBUTE A MATCH OF MORE THAN 6 HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS TO COVER THE FULL COST OF SALARIES AND BENEFITS. POLICE CHIEF MANNY SOLANO IS LOOKING TO RETURN HIS STAFFING TO PRE-HIRING FREEZE NUMBERS WITH A GOAL OF 75 OFFICERS. WITH THREE VACANCIES, THE DEPARTMENT CURRENTLY OPERATES WITH 65 OFFICERS . THE CITY COUNCIL IS SCHEDULED TO REVIEW THE GRANT AND DISCUSS REVENUE OPTIONS TODAY (TUESDAY).
