San Diego is grappling with a persistent police officer shortage. To address this, the city has initiated a home-buying incentive program designed to attract and retain law enforcement personnel. The program offers officers up to $50,000 toward a down payment on a home within the city limits.
The $750,000 program aims to bolster the Police Department’s recruitment and retention efforts. City officials also hope to enhance community policing by encouraging officers to reside in the communities they serve, rather than commuting from distant areas.
“Maintaining San Diego’s status as one of the safest cities in the country starts with recruiting the best and brightest to protect and serve,” Mayor Kevin Faulconer stated at a news conference. He emphasized that the program provides a “powerful tool to attract top talent” and enables officers to live in the neighborhoods they protect, sending a “very strong and powerful message, backed up with dollars.”
Police Chief David Nisleit expressed optimism about the program’s potential impact, noting strong attendance at preliminary workshops. He cited the high cost of housing as a major factor in officers leaving the department. Many San Diego officers currently live as far away as southwest Riverside County, where housing is more affordable, but face commutes exceeding 90 minutes.
According to an analysis by the police officers’ labor union, approximately 30 percent of city officers reside within San Diego. Union President Jack Schaeffer anticipates that the incentive program will improve officers’ quality of life and significantly reduce commute times.
Since Chief Nisleit succeeded Shelley Zimmerman in March 2018, the number of officer vacancies has decreased from nearly 300 to around 150. The city’s target is to maintain a force of 2,040 officers. A new Police Academy class with 48 recruits is scheduled to begin, bringing the total number of officers closer to the goal, though still under 1,900.
Officials attribute the reduction in vacancies to various new initiatives, including signing bonuses and finder’s fees for officers who successfully recruit new colleagues. The city has also implemented pay raises of at least 25 percent, engaged a social media-marketing firm to enhance recruiting efforts, and revised the department’s written exam and background checks.
While signing bonuses and finder’s fees are common practices among other departments, San Diego’s home-buying program appears to be a relatively innovative approach. While cities like Chicago, San Francisco, and Stockton offer similar incentives, San Diego officials believe their program is unique.
To be eligible, officers must be first-time homebuyers, contribute at least 3.5% of the purchase price as a down payment, and maintain a credit score of at least 680. However, the incentive is structured as an interest-free loan, not a bonus, and must be repaid within five years. Officers are also required to reside at the property throughout the loan term.
City Council members Chris Cate and Barbara Bry initially proposed the home-buying incentive. Cate expressed satisfaction with the program’s implementation, stating that it helps officers establish roots in the communities they serve and provides an additional incentive to join and remain with the San Diego Police Department.
The city is contributing $250,000 to the program, with the remaining $500,000 coming from Pacific Western Bank and Mechanics Bank. Faulconer and Cate anticipate future expansion of the program.