Home Antioch Antioch Police Chief Explains Staffing Levels and Hiring Process

Antioch Police Chief Explains Staffing Levels and Hiring Process

by ECT

There are some grumblings going around the City of Antioch regarding police staffing levels with accusations that officers are not being hired quickly enough. Some are also questioning why staffing is not yet at 97-officers.

In a recent opinion piece in another paper, a “watchdog” accuses the police chief and city council of making excuses as to why the staffing levels are not higher.

With the passage of both Measure C (2013) and Measure O (2014), the city council made the promise that Antioch police staffing was to increase from 82 officers to 97 in 2015 and further increased to 100 by 2016.

According to Hans Ho, Chair of the Antioch Sales Tax Citizens Oversight Committee, during the last City Council Meeting, he reported that the police department is getting all the funds as promised by Measure C with Antioch Police Staffing at 87-sworn officers and one per diem Police Captain.

“This is 5 more officers than Antioch had in October of 2013 based on the information given to the committee. We were informed by the Chief of Police that hiring of qualified officers as quickly as needed is constrained by shortage of qualified officers and competitive demand by other cities. Attrition has been happening almost as fast as hiring,” said Ho.

On Friday, Antioch Police Chief Allan Cantando said he believes the City is “absolutely” fulfilling its promise to hire and that 19-hires to date are a reflection of the police department’s efforts and the city’s human resources department.

According to Cantando, 19 officers have been hired since January 2014 and on April 13 they will be hiring a lateral police officer for a total of 20–a net gain of 6 officers from last year.

“Unfortunately I cannot control retirements and medical retirements.  Also, we sometimes lose officers during the field training process,” said Cantando.

He noted that the hiring process is long because there are many variables that go into hiring an officer as well as finding the best possible candidates take time.

“The hiring of police officers is a lengthy process,” said Cantando. “The entry level applicant is required to apply, take a physical agility test, written test, oral board, background investigation, polygraph, medical evaluation and lastly a psychological evaluation.  If they pass all of the above, they are sent to a 6-month academy.  If they applicant successfully completes the academy, they must complete a 4-month field training program.  If the applicant successfully completes the training program, they have completed all necessary training and requirements.”

He noted that lateral officers are not required to take the written test, but all other testing is required.  The lateral officer has already attended a police academy, and usually their field training program is 2-3 months.

Although officers are hired, not all of them can make it through the process.

“Applicants fail to show the written test, physical agility, or oral board.  Some applicants lie on their applications, background, or polygraph examination.  Some fail the medical or psychological evaluation. Some fail out of the academy, others fail to successfully complete the Field Training Program,” explained Cantando. “We have had officers resign because once they receive training in the academy or work the streets during the field training program, they realize they would prefer a different line of work.”

Cantando further highlighted that when looking at applicants, they look for qualified applicants that are intelligent, have character, honest, moral, enjoy working with people and good work ethic.

Some in the community have suggested speeding up the hiring process of police applicants in order to bring up police staffing levels to get boots on the street quickly. Cantando rejects that idea.

“We will never just fill open spots for the sake of building staff. As a Police Chief and also a resident of Antioch, I believe the City has the obligation of hiring only high caliber individuals,” explained Cantando. “We must hire quality individuals who will work and care for this community with the highest integrity.  There are many examples In the media where police agencies filled officer hiring with individuals who did not meet the values of their organization and those agencies have suffered for their lowering of standards.”

Although Cantando did not provide examples of any instances of police officers behaving badly, news out of San Francisco recently was that sheriff’s deputies in the jail forced inmates to fight and gambled.. At least four deputies have been placed on paid administrative leave during the investigation.

He says its important that Antioch hire officers that can represent the city well and further build public trust at all levels.

Cantando on the next Police Chief
At this time, Cantando says has no timeline on retirement, but responded to recent comments by Barbara Zivica, a self-appointed community watchdog in another publication, who stated the Police Department should hire its next chief from the outside versus from promoting within.

Cantando disagrees with her assessment.

“I have no idea how Ms. Zivica can make such a statement since she knows very little about the current Antioch Police Department.   It is unfortunate that people sometimes comment on topics for which they have no direct knowledge/understanding, but I have experienced this type of article/story from Ms. Zivica many times during my career with the APD,” said Cantando. “I believe the APD has worked hard in the area of succession planning and there is exceptional staff within the agency to promote from within.  With that said, the decision of who will be the next Chief of the Antioch Police Department lies solely with the City Manager.”

Zivica further accused the police department of making excuses in the hiring process.

“I do not attempt to make excuses.  I offer explanations.  I believe my answers explain what we have done as a city as it relates to hires, while at the same time, “explain” some of the challenges we experience in the hiring process,” said Cantando.

Cantando did note that if the next chief did get promoted from within, it would set in motion promotions at all levels throughout the department which is a moral boost.

Timeline of Police Staffing and Hiring Plan Based on City Council Meetings:

  • August 2013: The Council increased the number from 5 lateral hires to 10 lateral hires in August 2013.
  • February 26, 2014: Antioch City Council increased lateral police officer hiring from 10 to 15. The police department was at 87 full-time sworn positions
  • March 28, 2014: the preliminary budget, City Manager Steve Duran explained that the starting number is positions funded which that number is 82. Under his proposed staffing levels, police would be brought up to 97 positions in 2014/15 and to 100 positions by 2016.
  • June 10, 2014: The City approved its 2014/15 budget which will see the police department will see 97-officers overt the next year and 100-officers the year after while the department as a whole lost two full-time positions (127 positions last year and 125 positions for the upcoming year).
  • July 7: Antioch Police Chief Allan Cantando addresses community regarding response to violent crime, notes that police staffing is currently at 88 sworn officers. He also noted Antioch is the 2nd most populous city in Contra Costa County. Concord, which is the most populous city currently, has 148 sworn officers. Richmond, the third most populous city currently has 190 sworn officers.
  • July 23, 2014: At the city council meeting, Captain Orman reported that since Jan 1, 2013 Antioch Police have hired 26 officers, but due to unprecedented retirement/separations, the department has only netted 4 officers to date even as hiring continues.
  • October 27, 2014: City Releases Status Report on Measure C Funds: says collection of Measure C funds began in April of 2014 and, as of October 15th, $1,706,336 of Measure C funds have been received. With approval of the 2014/15 budget, the Antioch City Council directed 100% of the projected $4,300,847 Measure C annual revenues to hiring and equipping more Police Officers, which is well in progress, and augmenting Code Enforcement services. Chief Cantando further stated “Our goal is to reach 97 sworn personnel by June 30, 2015 and 104 sworn personnel by June 30, 2016. That’s an increase of 28 sworn officers. We plan to bring on five new Police Officers in November, so we are well on our way to reaching our staffing goals.”
  • November 11, 2014 city Council meeting, it was stated that Antioch would be increased to 97 police officers. On top of that, they received a grant for 5-more officers after being awarded a $625k grant under the 2014 COPS Hiring Program—that grant lasts 3-years. The police would then be increased to 102-officers.
  • January 27, 2015: Chief Cantando reported that the department has 102 authorized sworn positions; however, just 90 are filled. He noted that 3 recruits began the academy on January 26, 2015.
  • March 24, 2015: Han’s Ho, Antioch Sales Tax Citizens Oversight Committee, highlights the police department is currently staffed at 87-sworn officers and one per diem Police Captain. He further stated that the committee was are not aware of any instance, during the period covered by this report, where Measure C funds were used for any purpose other than public safety and code enforcement,” said Ho.

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9 comments

Don Mar 29, 2015 - 7:39 am

Way to go Antioch! Hiring 20 officers in a year is never easy and should be applauded, not torn down. The chief is right, you can’t control retirement and medical but at least the number of officers is not being reduced. Barbara Zivica has no idea what she is talking about. Antioch is trending in a positive direction, you do not go outside the department when its moving forward. You only do that when things are going bad.

JimSimmons42 Mar 29, 2015 - 7:49 am

The chief should not waste his time responding to Barbara Zivica and her stupid comments. Keep up the good work chief. Keep on catching those bad guys. Although the net gain is just 6, I am very happy we are headed in the right direction. I dislike this council as a whole, but do believe they are keeping their promises in hiring.

jill Mar 29, 2015 - 8:29 am

Good job Antioch. Keep on hiring and catch those bad guys

barbara zivica Mar 29, 2015 - 11:20 am

Chief’s explanation of staffing states that just 90 of 102 sworn positions are filled The Sales Tax Oversight Committee report has current staffing at 87 sworn officers (same as back in June 2013) and one per diem Captain. Perhaps the 3 difference is the 3 recruits that began the academy at the end of Jan. Re his remark I know little about the current Police Dept (where I worked for 11 years) I do know that that the hiring process is lengthy and always has been..

Julio Mar 29, 2015 - 11:31 am

Because Mrs. Zivica worked with-in the office of the Antioch PD many many years ago she claims to have a direct line of information coming from the APD. It is time for Mrs Zivica to understand she knows nothing. Time to hang it up.

Thank you to the Chief and all our officers for the tough job they have. It is appreciated and not criticized by most of the residents of Antioch

Anonymous Mar 29, 2015 - 9:06 pm

Julio, Since you are on more than just this blog, Let’s suffice it to say that you know, many people rant on and on about subject matter which they know nothing about (you included). That’s right, I have read your comments on more than one issue, (which I am extremely familiar with for one reason or another) and you have been miles off the mark…numerous times. So, should I say it’s time for you to understand that YOU know nothing? I wont do that because this is the internet and everyone is entitled to their opinions-including you!

In this particular case Ms. Zivica has stated her position and experience and is NOT doing so anonymously. I applaud her for that. I also applaud her for taking a stand against what many of us know has been going on for far too long. We may not always agree, but I will always appreciate Ms. Zivica for staying engaged on many relevant topics.

That’s right Julio, I’ve read many of your opinions and many of Ms. Zivica’s. Sorry to tell you, but she figures out what you often miss. But that is just my opinion.

Thank you Ms. Zivica. Your efforts are appreciated!

Anonymous Mar 29, 2015 - 3:36 pm

I think Barbara made a lot of good points. She has an extensive background in Antioch politics and policies.

While I also like the chief, I don’t forget who the chief answers to.

Making up for the city council and Mayor’s constant bumbling, is never an easy thing to do.

Eleanor O'Donnell Mar 29, 2015 - 4:33 pm

Thanks to all the Antioch P
D and to Chief Cantando. They are not the problem here.

Julio Mar 30, 2015 - 9:33 am

Anonymous, I appreciate your thoughts. Thanks for your contribution.

Comments are closed.