The Laguna Beach City Council unanimously approved a proposal to remedy police workforce shortages by increasing overtime pay and offering hiring incentives last week.
“Police agencies across Orange County and the nation are struggling to attract and retain officers due to the changing business and political environment,” Police Chief Jeff Calvert said during the Aug. 2 council meeting.
According to Calvert, there have been “mass resignations” due to the anti-police and defund the police movements as well as changes in legislation that place more scrutiny and pressure on officers.
Currently, the police department has 42 officers and seven dispatchers available for duty, down from 55 and 11 positions, respectively….