"Over the last couple of years, EPD has experienced a rapid loss of numerous and experienced Police Officers. With the recent departures, Eureka is currently operating with 60% of its normal level of Police Officers. "

 

EPD Officer Joseph Couch, who I know for years, responsible for the arrest of many criminals and sex offenders sent and email and letter out to an extensive list of local media outlets. The list also includes  Humboldt County Supervisor Rex Bohn Eureka Chamber of Commerce.

Officer Couch's email:

"Hello all, my name is Joseph Couch, and I am the Interim President of the Eureka Police Officer's (EPOA) Association.  As many of you may know, Law Enforcement Agencies across America have been experiencing staffing struggles.  The Eureka Police Department is no different; however, the EPOA feels the Citizens of Eureka may not be fully informed as to what the department is actually going through.  I have prepared an informative letter that provides some insight into what the Eureka Police Department has been going through, and how we are making every effort to alleviate the struggle and continue to provide the best service possible.  The hope is for this letter to reach the Citizens through your platforms, so they are better informed.  If there are any questions, please let me know by responding to this email, and I am happy to answer any questions.  Thank you!"

EPOA letter:

To the community we serve,

Over the last couple of years, EPD has experienced a rapid loss of numerous and experienced Police Officers. With the recent departures, Eureka is currently operating with 60% of its normal level of Police Officers.  This number fluctuates with Officer’s being on different forms of leave or departing to other agencies.  This severe shortage has created a significant impact on EPD’s ability to proactively police the community while also answering calls for service.

To adjust for this drastic shortage, our dedicated Police Officers have been working mandatory overtime, while adjustments have been made to reduce the effectiveness of proactive specialty safety teams.  Cuts affecting safety have been applied to: 

• Our Problem Oriented Policing (POP), responsible for investigating problematic houses, illicit drug sales, issues of violence and arresting high-level fugitives, has been dismantled. 

• The Community Safety Engagement Team (CSET), charged with addressing issues of homelessness, mental illness, and addiction, remains intact, but is operating at a deficit. 

• The Criminal Investigations Unit (CIU) is currently operating at a similar reduction.  CIU is responsible for solving major crimes like homicides, violent assaults, sexual assaults, and crimes against children.  

• Even the Old Town Officer position, which provides crucial coverage to citizens, businesses, and tourists in the heart of the City, has been vacant due to staffing levels.  

• The Traffic Unit, which is responsible for investigating all traffic related issues, including general traffic safety enforcement and major collisions within the City of Eureka has been dismantled for several years.

EPD Officers assigned to existing specialty units have been working extra patrol shifts, on top of their assigned duties, so the department can simply meet the minimum staffing requirements in order to safely patrol the streets and respond to calls for service.   

The Eureka Police Department’s Administrative staff, to include the Chief, Assistant Chief and both Commanders have been working relentlessly to alleviate the staffing struggles.  A Recruitment Board was created to manufacture new and creative ideas that could potentially inspire local and outside Lateral Officers in joining the Eureka Police Department team.  

Administrative Staff have consistently worked together with the Eureka Police Officer’s Association (EPOA), and they have made every attempt to ensure each patrol shift is properly covered.  After many discussions, Administrative Staff and the EPOA have determined it will be more appropriate to implement the emergency staffing matrix, which will require Patrol Officers to work mandatory 12.5 hour shifts during their work week.  This type of staffing will allow for each patrol shift to be properly covered, and it will prevent Officers from being ordered in so that minimum staffing requirements are met.  This same Administrative staff have also continuously listened to current Officers, and they have made every attempt within their authority to provide incentives that could lessen the burden of low staffing.  

Despite these challenges, our mission hasn’t changed. We will continue providing the best service possible to keep our city a great place to live, raise a family, and own a business. We will ensure your calls for assistance are still answered and handled exceptionally, respectfully and as promptly as possible.  

We call upon our community to actively support our efforts to increase the number of Police Officers to a fully operational level at the Eureka Police Department. We strive to retain and recruit quality people and encourage our community to participate in this process. 

We urge you to be active in local government, express your approval and disapproval of policies affecting public safety and, if serving your community is your calling, please join our ranks!