TUCSON (KGUN9-TV) - City Councilman Steve Kozachik said he fully supports the changes Chief Christopher Magnus proposed for the Police Department.
"We've got a $25 million budget deficit, we're trying to fill it and Chief Magnus has come in with some really creative ideas that he successfully implemented in Richmond and we're going to try them here," said Kozachik.
Part of Magnus' plan, which he announced Wednesday, is of particular interest to Kozachik.
"He recognizes, correctly in my opinion, that we have devalued patrol work by giving incentives to do something other than patrol," said Kozachik.
Magnus' proposal includes moving 31 officers and four sergeants from special assignments to patrol duty.
"All he's doing is saying, 'Look, let's take some of this assignment pay, some of the people who are doing investigative work or detective work, and re-incentivize patrol," said Kozachik. "Give some of those dollars back to patrol officers because, quite honestly, that's where the direct touch to the public is: patrol officers."
Magnus' plan must be approved by the City Council before it is implemented.
