More than $6 million in new equipment is heading to the Stockton Police Department.
The City Council on Tuesday unanimously approved the purchase of additional surveillance cameras, bulletproof vests and a new patrol boat for the police at a cost of approximately $2 million.
Funding for the equipment, which did not require competitive bidding, comes from various money budgeted in 2024-25 for the Police Department, as well as federal funds accepted during last week’s council meeting.
The department also recently acquired new police cruisers, as well as Polaris off-road vehicles, a mobile command center, a horse trailer and truck for equestrian officers and an armored military surplus rescue vehicle. The expanded fleet comes with a price tag of approximately $4.5 million, according to city officials.
“The Stockton Police Department works tirelessly day in and day out to protect our city,” Mayor Kevin Lincoln said at an event Tuesday dedicating the new vehicles. “This new equipment provides our Police department with the equipment and resources they need to serve and protect our community for years to come.”
Surveillance camera expansion
The most expensive of the items are 105 new surveillance cameras to be purchased from Flock Safety for approximately $1.2 million.
The license plate readers use solar-powered cameras that provide real-time notifications to police, including vehicle make, color and decals, as well as license plate numbers. The information can be used to alert law enforcement to vehicles suspected to have been used in crimes or that have been reported stolen.
The contract with Flock also allows Stockton police to access a network of over 500 million license plate readers through the Northern California Regional Intelligence Center.
With the additional cameras, there will now be 120 surveillance cameras across Stockton. The city had previously purchased 15 Flock cameras in September 2023.
Authorities said the readers will be placed at “all main entry/exit points of the city, major commercial areas, and hot intersections with high traffic volume,” as well as high-crime areas.
It will cost the city $390,000 annually to maintain the newly acquired camera system.
Patrol boat
Stockton also will purchase a new patrol boat for the Police Department. The vessel, a SAFE 27 Walk Around Cabin, is the same model used by the San Joaquin and Sacramento county Sheriff’s Offices and the U.S. Coast Guard.
City officials plan to use the boat to engage with homeless individuals along the waterways in Stockton and San Joaquin County.
Police boats would allow Community Corrections Partnership members to access locations inaccessible by vehicle, officials said.
“The utilization of boating equipment will best serve this clientele and provide safe, effective opportunities to make contact with this population,” the city wrote in its recommendation for the purchase of the vessel, the cost of which is not to exceed $610,000, the council voted.
The expense will include two-day trainings for officers tasked with operating the boat, with a recurring fuel cost included in the general fund.
Body armor
Stockton police also are in need of new body armor and ballistic vests, councilmembers noted. The department replaces such gear every five years.
City officials said the purchase of the new vests and body armor — funding of which was previously budgeted and is not to exceed $171,430 — would enable the Police Department to continue providing protection to its sworn officers.
During the City Council meeting, Police Chief Stanley McFadden reported the department’s ranks have risen to 380 officers, including 60 new hires since the start of the year. That’s the most new employees the force has had since 2018.
Vehicles
Ahead of Tuesday’s City Council meeting, Stockton police showed off recent additions to the department’s motor pool as well as other vehicles during a dedication at the Weber Point Events Center.
A military surplus mine-resistant ambush-protected vehicle, or MRAP, several Polaris off-road vehicles, a mobile command center and numerous patrol cars were on display.
Stockton City Manager Harry Black said in a release that funding for the new vehicles was previously approved by the City Council and comes in part from the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021.
Police Chief Stanley McFadden said funding for these types of vehicles takes time.
“It can often take a few years for the appropriate funding and replacement vehicles to arrive,” McFadden said in a news release. “This is an opportunity to see the equipment up close and talk with Stockton police officers about how this equipment will support their needs as they respond to calls for service within the community.”
Some of the vehicles shown Tuesday were initially previewed in the Police Department’s 2024 annual report, which outlines use of military equipment as well as potential purchases for the coming year.
The City Council in May approved the annual report, authorizing approximately $1.6 million for new equipment and vehicles, which have an annual upkeep and restocking fee of $390,031.
At the time, Lt. Ryan Taiariol outlined some of the items the department planned to purchase, including a Lenco Bearcat Tactical Armored Vehicle and an Armored Critical Incident Vehicle, known as a Rook. Taiariol told the council that the agency is looking for additional funding sources, such as the federal government, to help with these anticipated purchases.