City Rushes to Replace Police Chief

City council members assured police officers and the public that Millbrae will by late October, as he will return to San Bruno.

In an effort to reduces costs, Millbrae and San Bruno decided in March 2010 to divide the San Bruno of $251,676 – which includes medical benefits and pension costs. 

Eventually, the two cities hoped to consolidate police departments. But, after conducting a year and a half study, the report did not show the fiscal savings the two cities expected. So, as the merger will not go through, San Bruno wants its police chief back. 

“We’ve had some difficult decisions to make all year,” said Mayor Dan Quigg. “We’re looking at some numbers that are outside our budget.”

To minimally staff the Millbrae Police Department, it would need an additional $410,000 per year, according to a city staff report. But, unless taxes increased, the city would need to divert funding from other departments, which could result in laying off up to eight employees.

The city will also explore a possible contract with the San Mateo County Sheriff’s Office to provide services. No other city in San Mateo County has expressed interest in sharing a police chief, according to City Manager Marcia Raines.

But, Millbrae Police Commander Mark Raffaelli is hoping for a permanent solution to an ongoing staffing problem – a full-time chief.

“It’s like sending people from foster home to foster home,” he said. “There’s no structure, no accountability. And that’s what you get with interim people.”

The Millbrae police department employed 20 officers in 2001, but in an effort to reduce budget costs, it currently has just 14, according to staff records.

“We’ve had four interim chiefs, and this is not good for our department,” said Vice Mayor Marge Colapietro.

Each chief comes with their own ideas and agendas, said Millbrae Police Officer Robert Raw. He thinks the turnover is detrimental to the department’s vision and the officers’ morale. 

San Bruno declared an unofficial timeline of 30 to 60 days to reinstate Telford full-time, and Millbrae is currently examining several options to replace the chief. 

“It’s been a pleasure to serve this community, and it’s unfortunate that [the San Bruno and Millbrae merger] didn’t work out,” Telford said. “There needs to be a permanent, consistent future ahead for the Millbrae Police Department.”