Special Measure U Citizen Oversight Committee Meeting 9/22/2026

The City of Hemet's Special Measure U Citizen Oversight Committee met on September 22, 2026, to discuss the potential unfreezing of nine police department positions that had been frozen as part of the fiscal year 2026-27 budget. These positions include six police officers, one community services officer, one outreach and engagement specialist, and one temporary part-time civilian investigator. The committee reviewed the estimated fiscal impact of restoring funding for these positions, which is approximately $759,000 for the remainder of the fiscal year, with an annualized cost of about $1.3 million for fiscal year 2027-28. The funding would come from the police Measure U fund balance, which currently has an estimated $4.9 million available. The committee discussed the community service benefits of these positions and the importance of maintaining staffing levels to support public safety. After deliberation, the committee voted unanimously to recommend that the City Council unfreeze the nine positions and approve the use of Measure U funds to restore their funding. This recommendation will be forwarded to the City Council for final approval.