17 ‘Take-Home’ Cars Turned in by S.D. Detectives as Part of Cost-Cutting Effort

San Diego police detectives have returned 17 unmarked “take-home” police cars to the department this week to help plug a $25-million city budget deficit, City Manager Jack McGrory said Thursday.

McGrory said he and Police Chief Bob Burgreen decided in May that they needed to trim the number of cars assigned to about 300 officers, most of them working investigative assignments such as homicide, narcotics and gangs.

The first 17 cars were returned Tuesday from investigative and crime lab personnel, said McGrory, citing a memo from Burgreen. He said he did not know how much money the return of the vehicles would save.

“This is the first cut,” the city manager said. “We’re still in the process of identifying more cars. I have asked Bob to take a real critical look at every authorized take-home car.”

Unmarked take-home cars are at the disposal of officers around the clock but are expected to be used only for official business. Only officers on call for emergencies are permitted to use them, according to department regulations.

McGrory defended the use of the take-home cars Thursday, saying the city cannot expect detectives responding to emergencies to drive their own cars to a patrol station and sign out department vehicles.

“It’s cheaper and more effective (for the take-home cars) rather than having someone drive some place, pick up a car and respond,” he said. “Also, if you restrict officers so much that they can’t respond from home, you must pay them for part of their off-duty time. This is not a perk. It’s a necessity.”

The 300 cars are an increase from the 246 the department counted 2 1/2 years ago. Both numbers include take-home motorcycles and units specially built for police dogs. Those assigned to the canine unit get a car but are required to train and care for the dog.

McGrory said he was surprised to learn from Burgreen in May that the number of take-home cars had risen to 300. He ordered that the number be cut without compromising public safety.

“This was all part of the budget process,” he said. “We were looking at across-the-board cuts throughout all departments, and I wanted to take a look at this issue more critically.”