California Police Chiefs Oppose Prisoners Release

As many as 20,000 prisoners maybe released if the California state legislature approves cutting about $1.2 billion is funding to the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, a move Pasadena Chief of Police Bernard Melekian opposes.

“The first priority of any government is to ensure the safety of its citizens,” Melekian, who is also president of the California Police Chief Association, said in a statement. “This is true regardless of whether we are talking about  national defense or local policing. The proposed budget fails to even consider this aspect of true governance.”

Melekian added that the entire Police Chiefs Association is opposed to the proposed cuts, mostly because it would not achieve the necessary financial results.

“It will not ultimately take into account the 70 percent recidivism of those persons released from state prison,” the police chief added. “In addition to the proposal to release inmates, the current budget proposal dramatically reduces revenue to our respective cities and counties which in turn will result in cuts to our respective law enforcement budgets.

“These budget proposals put the safety of communities at risk.”

The California Police Chiefs Association represents the state’s municipal police chiefs. As a whole, the law enforcement agencies affiliated with the Association represent the protection and service of more than 78 percent of Californians.