The City of Bloomington will begin its 2021 budget hearings this week.
An important issue on the agenda is how the city will decide to fund the Bloomington Police Department.
Mayor John Hamilton said the city asked an outside consultant group to look over BPD’s current structure and how it can be improved.
“This report tried to say that law enforcement ought to spend at least a third of their time doing proactive policing as they would call it, or community policing," Hamilton said. "Not responding to calls, but doing proactive outreach and engagement.”
The full report conducted by Novak Consulting Group can be found here on the city's website.
Hamilton said the city will use the report as a reference during its budget process.
He said steps have already been made to accommodate these needs by proposing that five new civilian positions be added to BPD’s 2021 budget.
READ MORE: Bloomington Plans To Reallocate Funds For Five Sworn Officers To Social Service Related Positions
This proposal means BPD will reduce its number of sworn officers from 105 to 100.
"Bloomington has been very well served by the dedicated men and women who protect us all every day, and this review helps assure continued excellence in public safety, as our community expects and deserves," Hamilton said.
The budget hearings will be held virtually on the city's website and Facebook page Monday through Thursday at 6 p.m.
