HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025-04-08 - AGENDA REPORTS - SHERIFFS DEPT VACANCIES LETTERO
Agenda Item: 1
CITY OF SANTA CLARITA
AGENDA REPORT
NEW BUSINESS
CITY MANAGER APPROVAL: Lj
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DATE: April 8, 2025
SUBJECT: LOS ANGELES COUNTY SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT VACANCIES
FIVE -SIGNATURE LETTER
DEPARTMENT: City Manager's Office
PRESENTER: Masis Hagobian
RECOMMENDED ACTION
City Council consider approving the attached letter and authorize that it be sent as a five -
signature letter to the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors.
BACKGROUND
At the February 21, 2025, Los Angeles County Board of Supervisor's (Board of Supervisors)
special meeting, Sheriff Robert Luna and Assistant Sheriff Gerardo Pinedo presented the Fiscal
Year 2025-26 Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department (Sheriff's Department) Budget. During
the presentation, it was stated that the Sheriff's Department has an approximately 23 percent
unavailability rate among sworn personnel. The unavailability rate includes more than 1,400
patrol deputy vacancies, in addition to other positions that cannot be filled due to leaves of
absence or impairments.
Sheriff's Department staff stressed that the high-level of vacancies, although not a unique issue
to only the Sheriff's Department, poses challenges in employee wellbeing and retention, as
sworn personnel are mandated to work longer hours. In an effort to alleviate some of the
vacancies, Sheriff's Department staff proposed piloting a retention program and enhancing
flexibility to backfill impairments, especially in critical operational areas.
At the March 25, 2025, regular City Council meeting, the City Council requested a five -signature
letter be sent to the Board of Supervisors regarding deputy vacancies at the Sheriff's Department
and encouraging them to make investments in enhancing retention and strengthening recruitment
efforts.
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ALTERNATIVE ACTION
Other direction, as provided by the City Council.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact as a result of this item.
ATTACHMENTS
LASD Vacancies 4.9.25
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April 9, 2025
Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors
Kenneth Hahn Hall of Administration
500 W. Temple Street
Los Angeles, CA 90012
Dear Chair Barger and Members of the Los Angeles County Board of
Supervisors:
SUBJECT: Los Angeles County Sheriffs Department Vacancies
As public safety remains a top priority for the City of Santa Clarita (City) and
as a City that contracts its law enforcement services with the Los Angeles
County Sheriff's Department (Sheriff's Department), we respectfully request
that greater investments are made to enhance employee wellbeing, recruitment,
and retention within the Sheriff's Department.
As it was shared with you at the February 21, 2025, Los Angeles County
Board of Supervisors Special Meeting, the Sheriff's Department is facing
significant vacancies and impairments, while competing with neighboring law
enforcement agencies for new recruits, resulting in many sworn personnel
having to work mandatory overtime throughout the year. It is critical that the
men and women that serve and protect us are provided the resources needed to
maintain mental and physical wellbeing, especially given the high -stress and at
times, traumatic nature, of working in law enforcement.
It is even more imperative, as the City and County of Los Angeles prepares to
host the World Cup and Olympics in the coming years, that immediate action
is taken on this matter.
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Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors
April 9, 2025
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For these reasons, the City of Santa Clarita implores you to work with Sheriff
Robert Luna and the Sheriff's Department in investing in the appropriate
programs to enhance retention and strengthen recruitment efforts. Should you
or your staff require any further information regarding the Santa Clarita City
Council's position on this matter, please contact Intergovernmental Relations
Officer Masis Hagobian at (661) 286-4057 or mhagobian2santa-clarita.com.
Sincerely,
Mayor Bill Miranda
Councilwoman Marsha McLean
Councilmember Patsy Ayala
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s\ms\masis\IetteIs\LASD Vacancies 4.9.25
cc: Kenneth W. Striplin, City Manager
Frank Oviedo, Assistant City Manager
Leadership Team
Mayor Pro Tem Laurene Weste
Councilmember Jason Gibbs
Masis Hagobian, Intergovernmental Relations Officer
California Contract Cities Association
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