A just released Contra Costa County Grand Jury Report slammed the City of Richmond on public safety and for having an understaffed police department.
The Grand Jury provided the city with a total of 16 findings and made 7 recommendations regarding the City of Richmond Police Department funds and the staffing levels remain below the approved level of 146 with a current vacancy of 23 officers. — Staffing Challenges Facing the Richmond Police Department: Diminishing Funds and Fewer Officers
Meanwhile, the grand jury takes not that two independent reports (Raftelis Financial Consulting & Matrix Consulting Group) have been completed, but have never been taken up by the council in a public meeting. Furthermore, the grand jury by reallocating $3 million away from the police department, its resulted in a perceived lack of support for the Richmond Police Department resulting in making it more difficult to hire new officers.
According to the Grand Jury, since the 2021 reallocation, data reported by the City and RPD points to an increase in some categories of crime. Homicides have trended downward, as well as burglary, larceny-theft, and arson. However, sexual assault, robbery, aggravated assault and vehicle-theft have all increased. It is beyond the ability of this report to determine whether or to what extent the reallocation and/or reduction in police officers caused the increase in crime. Based on the reported statistics, it is undisputed that crime in Richmond has increased since 2021.
Furthermore, Richmond Police authorities believe that many crimes go unreported since, based on limited staffing, the RPD is unable to respond to all calls. Online reporting is the only option for reporting crimes to which the RPD cannot respond. The online system is not always available, making it impossible to report these crimes in any way. This results in frustration on the part of the citizens and a sentiment that the police are not fully supporting the community. This also suggests that the level of crime in Richmond is underreported in the statistics.
The grand jury also cites the lack of support from the Richmond City Council has created a perception that has influenced officers to leave and deterred potential candidates from applying.
Read the Report: Click Here
The findings include:
- F1. Despite a decrease in absolute number of homicides from 18 to 11, violent crimes in Richmond, which include homicide, sexual assault, robbery, and aggravated assault have increased from 2021-2024.
- F2. In 2021, the City of Richmond reallocated $3 million in Richmond Police Department (RPD) funding to community services and alternative policing proposals in Richmond.
- F3. The City received two expert reports that studied staffing levels in Richmond, the Matrix report (March 2023) and the Raftelis report (May 2024).
- F4. Both the Matrix and Raftelis reports found that there should be an increase in RPD sworn officers.
- F5. The City Council has not taken any action on police staffing as recommended in the Matrix and Raftelis reports.
- F6. An improvement in recruiting measures has resulted in an increase of hiring of new RPD officers, although staffing remains below approved levels.
- F7. The RPD has the ability to train only 10 new officers at a time, using the available Field Training Officers, resulting in a limitation on the number of officers that could be hired.
- F8. Reallocation of RPD funds resulted in the downsizing or elimination of specialized investigative units.
- F9. Since the reallocation of RPD funds, mandatory overtime for police officers has increased.
- F10. Subsequent to the reallocation of RPD funds in 2021 the City Council approved the formation of the Community Crisis Response Program (CCRP).
- F11. The CCRP was formed to respond to calls involving mental health and quality of life incidents not requiring the RPD.
- F12. As of April 2025, the CCRP is staffed with three people, a program manager and two staffers.
- F13. As of April 2025, the CCRP is not receiving calls for service via police dispatch.
- F14. The need for agreement between the City and RPOA on duties to be performed and union representation of the CCRP is contributing to CCRP’s slow rollout.
- F15. As a result of a legal settlement between the City and Chevron Corporation, $550 million will be coming to the City of Richmond over the next 10 years, starting in June 2025, resulting in increased revenue for the City.
- F16. As of April 2025, The City Council has not determined how any of the Chevron settlement funds will be used.
The recommendations include:
- R1. By January 1, 2026, the City Council should consider placing a review of the Matrix and Raftelis reports on a City Council agenda.
- R2. By January 1, 2026, after a City Council meeting review of the reports, the City Council should consider following the recommendations for police officer staffing and hiring made in the Matrix and Raftelis reports.
- R3. By January 1, 2026, the City Council should consider directing the City Manager to establish a timeline to implement the operations and functions of the CCRP.
- R4. By January 1, 2026, the City Council should consider directing the City Manager to work with the RPD to establish a training program for dispatchers to enable dispatchers to properly send appropriate personnel to incidents for CCRP and RPD.
- R5. By January 1, 2026, the City Council should consider directing the City Manager to work with the RPD to develop a plan to increase the number of Field Training Officers.
- R6. By January 1, 2026, the City Council should consider directing the City Manager to work with the RPD to establish a plan to reduce officer mandatory overtime.
- R7. By January 1, 2026, the City Council should consider whether to allocate some of the Chevron Corporation settlement funds to the RPD to hire and retain more officers.
Related
- Feb 20, 2025 – Richmond Police Say Violent Crime Up 7% in 2024
- Dec 30, 2024 – Richmond Mayor Says Crime is Up in State of City Address
- July 2, 2024 – Grand Jury Finds Evidence Antioch City Council Committed Brown Act Violations
- Jan 2023 – Richmond Police Chief Provides 5-Year Crime Data Report
