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The East Bay Regional Park District Police Department has reached full staffing levels at the sworn police officer rank for the first time in over 18 years, park district officials announced in a statement this month.
The achievement is particularly significant as approximately 15-25% of officer positions at police agencies on the West Coast were vacant in 2024, according to data published last year by RespondCapture, a technology firm that assists law enforcement agencies with recruitment strategies. Nationwide, the average vacancy rate last year was 10%-15%, according to the RespondCapture website.
Filling all 76 sworn officer positions displays EBRPD’s success in attracting officers who are drawn to its mission, supportive culture and opportunities to protect both people and natural spaces, according to park district officials.
“Full staffing means more proactive patrols, faster response times, greater community presence and an even higher level of service for park visitors,” EBRPD Police Department Chief Roberto Filice said in a statement. “It also means our officers enjoy a supportive team environment, exceptional training and the satisfaction of serving in one of the most beautiful regions in the country.”
Since 2022, the department has made targeted investments in its recruitment efforts, park district officials said.
“Filling vacancies has always been — and will always be — a priority, but it’s even more important to find the right people,” Filice said. “We look for officers who share our values, are dedicated to keeping our parks and communities safe and are committed to fostering positive relationships with park visitors.”
Recruitment efforts have included creating a sergeant role focused solely on attracting top talent, outreach to police academies, collaboration with training agencies as well as participation in job fairs and community engagement events like National Night Out, according to EBRPD officials.
“Reaching full staffing in law enforcement is a remarkable milestone,” EBRPD General Manager Sabrina Landreth said. “It reflects the dedication of our recruitment and retention teams, the appeal of our mission and the leadership of Chief Roberto Filice.”
The police department is responsible for a range of services including emergency response, criminal investigations, aerial support and interagency mutual aid across 73 regional parks, 55 miles of shoreline and over 1,330 miles of trails. Additionally, the department provides contracted policing for East Bay Municipal Utility District recreation areas, San Francisco Public Utilities Commission watershed lands in the East Bay and several state-owned parks.
