The Cedar Park Police Department could have an additional officer on the force contingent upon council making adjustments to a city ordinance.

Two-minute impact

City staff is proposing that council make amendments to the Strength of Force ordinance—which authorizes the number of civil service positions in the police department.

The proposed adjustments are as follows:

• Increase the force by one police officer, who would be dedicated to criminal investigations.
• Convert two corporals into sergeants; this will ensure adequate supervision for certain shifts, Deputy City Manager Katherine Woerner Caffrey said at the Sept. 28 meeting.

If council approves the adjustments, the Strength of Force for the police department will look like the following:

• One assistant chief
• Two commanders
• Six lieutenants
• 17 sergeants
• 14 corporals
• 68 police officers

Caffrey said the city's 2023-24 budget allocates funds to cover the additional officer and the two conversions.

The action taken

Council did not take any action on the ordinance amendment, as it was only the first reading.

Officials said the final reading and consideration for approval is scheduled for Oct. 12. If approved, the adjustments will go into effect Oct. 13.