Although the state’s economy has recovered, for the most part, from the recession, many police departments have not. According to numbers from the FBI…in 2008, as the recession was starting to hit, California’s cities had 40, 240 officers. But last year, it was 37,470, a 7% drop. And during that time cities continued to grow. As a result, the rate of officers per 10,000 residents have fallen from around 16 to 14, a 13% decline. Nevada City Police Chief Tim Foley says they currently have 10 full-time officers, and historically it’s been as high as 12. But he says he could justify 16…

click to listen to Chief Foley

But Foley says if Measure C passes on November 8th, they’ll be able to add one more officer. Meanwhile, Grass Valley Police Chief Alex Gammelgard says they have 21 fulltime officers, but have funding allocated for 24. However, they still haven’t been able to fill the openings yet…

click to listen to Chief Gammelgard

Gammelgard says Grass Valley Police once had 31 fulltime officers in 2007. It dropped to 20 four years ago, before a local ballot measure provided funding for more officers.