Public Safety · Hollister, CA
Hollister Police Lose 10 Staff After $18M Payroll Loan; Oct. 16 Town Hall Canceled
The City of Hollister sent layoff notices on Oct. 13 to 10 police department staff, including Capt. Michael Paddy and nine civilian positions handling evidence processing, fingerprinting, sex offender registration, and records management, following an Oct. 2 financial emergency declaration and an $18 million loan from the city's impact fee fund to cover payroll. Two recently arrested suspects were released because the department lacked staff to submit paperwork to the district attorney in time for a court hearing. Hollister Police Officers Association President Sgt. Bo Leland said City Manager Ana Cortez did not consult police leadership before issuing the cuts, and the union is calling for her termination. A public town hall scheduled for Oct. 16 was canceled due to unspecified safety concerns raised by city staff. San Benito County Sheriff Eric Taylor issued a statement expressing concern that shifting civilian duties to sworn officers would pull them from patrol.