Chula Vista approves 5% police pay raise to combat staffing shortages

The Chula Vista City Council on Tuesday approved a 5% pay increase for all sworn police officers, aiming to address severe staffing shortages and stem the flow of officers leaving for higher-paying departments.

The pay adjustment, which takes effect Friday, comes as the department operates with 28 vacancies — nearly 10% of its authorized 296 sworn positions. Since 2021, 40 officers have left Chula Vista for other agencies, creating ongoing recruitment and retention issues.

“We are one of the lowest staffed police departments for a city our size,” Police Chief Roxana Kennedy said in a statement. “Our team is routinely asked to do more with less. Yet, they consistently deliver a high level of service to our community.”

Councilmember Michael Inzunza, who requested a recruitment and retention study at the July 22, 2025 council meeting that informed the pay decision, said he wanted to ensure officers felt fairly compensated.

“I wanted to make sure that we’re keeping good officers, and we’re recruiting good officers that are staying for the long haul,” Inzunza said.

The city currently employs 268 officers, giving it a ratio of 0.89 officers per 1,000 residents — the lowest in San Diego County, according to Sgt. David Martinez, president of the Chula Vista Police Officers Association. The county average is 1.3 officers per 1,000 residents.<...