Plan to Police Compton Goes to Supervisors

The Board of Supervisors is scheduled to consider today whether the county should assume responsibility for policing Compton.

Board consideration represents the last step in Compton’s attempt to replace its Police Department with deputies. City officials approved the change this summer.

Last week, the city and sheriff finalized a contract that allows Compton officers, whose union backed the move, to be hired by the Sheriff’s Department. They cannot be posted in Compton initially and many will go to the custody division, said Capt. Chuck Jackson, who is overseeing the transfer.

The county will have to spend more than $9 million in implementation costs during the 2000-2001 fiscal year, according to documents given to supervisors.

The new Compton sheriff’s station will have 175 employees, including 102 deputies and 24 sergeants, the documents show. That’s up more than 60 from the current staffing of 113 officers.

City officials say that even with a larger force, Compton can save $7 million of the $20 million it currently spends on policing. But start-up costs could cut into savings; the contract says that the city is responsible for more than $2 million in improvements, including upgrading Compton’s police station and certain personnel payments.

City and sheriff’s officials say that they are confident the board will approve the contract. A spokeswoman for Supervisor Yvonne Brathwaite Burke, whose district includes Compton, says she will not oppose the pact.