Tucson Police Department Drives Major Funding Boost with Prop. 414

Tucson voters will soon weigh in on Proposition 414, a measure that proposes to fund the hiring of additional police officers and the acquisition of updated equipment, including vehicles and aircraft. The election is set for March 11, with mail-in ballots already dispatched to residents on February 12. Residents also have the option to vote in person at centers throughout the city on the election day.

If passed, the measure will introduce a half-cent sales tax increase within city limits for a decade. Approximately two-thirds of the anticipated $80 million annual revenue, or $800 million over ten years, would be earmarked for public safety initiatives, while the remaining third targets programs aiding low-income residents and the homeless.

Tucson Police Chief Chad Kasmar discussed the proposition at a recent town hall meeting, emphasizing its potential impact on personnel, facilities, and equipment. While Kasmar cannot advocate for the proposition due to legal constraints, he highlighted the pressing need for additional resources to enhance public safety.

The funding from Prop. 414 would allow for the hiring of an estimated 40 new police officers at an annual cost of $5.6 million. Currently, the Tucson Police Department (TPD) employs about 750 officers. Additional funding would also support 40 professional staff members, tasked with responding to less critical incidents.

Kasmar highlighted that nearly 90 percent of TPD’s $200 million budget is allocated for personnel costs, which include salaries and benefits. Furthermore, the proposed tax would fund a new police and fire station on the Southeast Side, costing $44.3 million. Existing facilities would see a $10 million allocation for modernization, along with $15 million for updates to the Public Safety Training Academy, which serves multiple local agencies.

Moreover, Prop. 414 proposes setting aside funds for specialized equipment and vehicles, allocating $17 million for protective gear, $6 million for new patrol cars, and $2.7 million annually for non-patrol vehicles. A total of $16 million would be dedicated to replacing a helicopter and purchasing a new plane for the TPD.

Concerns have emerged from various community sectors. Some business groups, including the Tucson Metro Chamber and Southern Arizona Leadership Council, support the necessity of police funding but oppose the sales tax increase. They argue for alternative funding methods that would not burden families and businesses financially.

Opposition also exists from advocates for the homeless, who argue that the focus should be redirected from law enforcement to housing and support services. April Putney, a University of Arizona graduate student, criticized the tax as regressive, burdening low-income residents while inadequately addressing their needs.

Overall, Prop. 414’s funding structure aims to balance public safety investments with community support programs. Approximately 31 percent would be allocated for capital investments in emergency services, another 23 percent for personnel, with the rest focused on affordable housing, community resilience, and technology enhancements.

As the date approaches, Tucsonan residents must deliberate the implications of Prop. 414 on their city’s safety and social welfare systems.