City of Bakersfield plans to hire 100 more police officers if 1% sales tax increase is approved

The City of Bakersfield plans to hire 100 additional police officers if voters approve a 1% sales tax increase in November, according to City Manager Alan Tandy.

Tandy said Bakersfield has fewer officers than other comparable cities. In June, the city council voted to send the proposal of a city-wide 1% sales tax increase to the ballot in November. The current sales tax in the city stands at 7.25%.

Voters will get the chance to decide in November. If approved, city officials say it could generate 50 million dollars, potentially adding more than 40 support staff members in addition to the 100 BPD officers.