Proposed Washougal police budget includes new patrol officer in 2016

The 2016 city of Washougal budget is expected to include funding for an additional police officer.

The 2015 budget includes $2.529 million in salaries and benefits for police and code enforcement personnel. A proposal for 2016, presented by Washougal Police Chief Ron Mitchell to Washougal City Council, includes $2.707 million for salaries and benefits.

The WPD has 19 officers. Mitchell said there were 12,853 events that Washougal officers responded to in 2014. That included 1,653 traffic stops.

Overall, that means 676 calls per officer. With an additional officer, the expectation would be to reduce the call volume to 660 per officer.

Battle Ground has 23 officers, with an average of 764 calls per officer. Camas has 26 officers, with an average of 559 calls per officer.

The WPD has 1.27 officers per 1,000 residents, while Battle Ground has 1.23 and Camas has 1.25.

Preliminary public works budget information will be presented during the next city council workshop, Monday, at 5 p.m.

The city’s preliminary budget will be released at the Monday, Oct. 26 workshop, also at 5 p.m. Budget discussions are expected to occur at the Monday, Nov. 2 workshop, and a public hearing will be held Monday, Nov. 9, at 7 p.m.