By Hector Gonzlez
Staff Writer

Editor's note: This story has been updated to reflect the following changes: The Police Department will add nine new officers over the next two fiscal years, not five years. Fourteen percent of the department's officers, not 14 officers, are expected to retire, and Part II crimes, not Part I crimes, have increased.

June 1, 2015  -- Santa Monica police Chief Jacqueline Seabrooks is calling for a boost in ranks to deal with the arrival next year of the Expo Light Rail line, a new hotel and other projects going up in Downtown, spikes in low-level crime, and a growing exodus of seasoned cops.

The Santa Monica Police Department will need to hire at least nine new officers over the next two fiscal years, largely to make up for officers slated to retire over that period, the chief told City Council members during a recent budget study session.

In her two-year budget projections, Seabrooks is seeking $83.6 million for the SMPD in 2015-16, a $4.3 million increase over the current year. For the 2016-17 budget year, Seabrooks wants $86.6 million.

She said much of the increases would go to hire one new sergeant and five new officers in 2015-16 and three officers in 2016-2017, increasing the force from 215 to 224 sworn officers.

Seabrooks, a former beat cop who rose through the ranks and became chief in 2012, said 14 percent of the SMPD's 216 sworn officers are eligible right now for retirement, with that number jumping to 38 percent in five years.

“All ranks are effected, but sergeants and above will be significantly impacted,” said Seabrooks.

Among those eligible for retirement in five years are seven lieutenants who combined represent  “120 years if institutional knowledge of Santa Monica,” she said.

Anticipating the need for “organizational succession,” Seabrooks said the department is working to transfer the knowledge and experience of older officers nearing retirement age to younger cops.

In addition, a RAND a study to be completed in 2018 on the department's overall structure and deployment practices will help SMPD administrators use officers more effectively, she said.

While Part I crimes, which include murder, aggravated assault and other serious felonies, are at the lowest point since 1950, Part II crimes, such as larceny and car burglaries, are up 13 percent so far this year, said Seabrooks.

The spike in Part I crimes, along with an expected and dramatic rise in visitors once the Expo Light Rail line is up and running later this year, will bring new challenges to the SMPD that will require more cops, Seabrooks said.