New positions at the Tehachapi Police Department

At the Nov. 6 City Council meeting, Police Chief Richard Standridge told the Council that the Tehachapi Police Department currently has only one allocated Police Lieutenant position. Given the likelihood of commercial growth over the next few years and an assessment of the potential future growth of the city, Standridge proposed the hiring of a second Lieutenant position.

Standridge also noted that while Tehachapi takes great pride in being the best and safest city in Kern County, the city has just one full time code endorsement officer. He noted that the city had recently employed a Contract Code Enforcement Officer to assist commercial area issues. Standridge said it became immediately apparent that this was not cost effective and that the Department needed to hire a second Code Enforcement Officer.

The third organizational request from Standridge related to the city’s new part-time Community Engagement Specialist Maya Acosta. Her impact on the City of Tehachapi was immediate and has resulted in the department’s ability to increase their public engagement and visibility as it relates to public safety. Standridge proposed that Acosta become a full-time employee of the city, with the Police Department covering 30 percent of her salary.

After discussions with Finance Director Hamed Jones, it was decided that the two new police positions could be funded with unallocated Measure S reserves and would add about $167,000 to the department’s 2023-24 budget. Acosta’s conversion to full time would be effective on Nov. 5 and will also be funded through unappropriated reserves.

The Tehachapi City Council voted unanimously to approved both police department proposals.

The Tehachapi City Council meets on the first and third Monday of the month at 6 p.m. They are currently meeting at the Police Department Community Room, 220 W. C St.