San Carlos City Council Votes to Disband Police Force

SAN CARLOS, Calif. (KCBS/BCN) _ The San Carlos City Council voted unanimously Thursday night to disband the city's police force and contract out police services to the San Mateo County Sheriff's Office beginning at the end of October.

City staff projected that the agreement would save San Carlos $2 million without sacrificing the level of police service the community hopes to maintain.

"I believe this will be excellent service for $2 million less," mayor and councilman Randy Royce said. "I guarantee it will be as good and I believe it will be better."

San Carlos is looking at a $3.5 million budget deficit for the current fiscal year.

The agreement includes provisions to guarantee jobs at San Mateo County without loss of pay or benefits for all full-time staff at San Carlos police.

The San Carlos City Council began considering contracting out their police services last December.

If approved by the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors, the agreement will take effect on October 31.