Belvedere weighs police merger with Tiburon or regional agency

Belvedere is preparing to hire an outside firm to study whether the city should keep its own Police Department or share policing with Tiburon, through a merger, a shared police chief or a joint agency the two cities would govern together.

City Manager Robert Zadnik told the City Council on Oct. 12 that the study would come in two parts. The first would examine the existing department, including its staffing, equipment and overall operations.

“The first part of that firm’s work will focus on our current operations, including whether our staffing levels and equipment are appropriate for the department in a community of our size,” Zadnik said.

The second would take a longer look at the department’s future, including whether it is feasible to consolidate police services with Tiburon or form a joint police agency.

“That’s something that’s long been thought about, but never fully researched,” he said.

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