As the Sacramento County Board of Supervisors prepares to revisit the county budget Tuesday, one proposed cut has become a focal point of debate: eliminating the Sheriff’s Office’s Problem-Oriented Policing Unit, or POP unit, a move supporters of the team say would have significant consequences for public safety.
Facing a $101 million shortfall driven by a long-term structural deficit and costs associated with HR 1, the Sacramento County Executive Office proposed an $8.9 billion budget for the 2026-27 fiscal year that would cut $57 million from general fund departments. The reductions would eliminate 194.5 full-time positions, including 38 from the Sheriff’s Office.
The POP unit, however, remained on the chopping block when the Board of Supervisors approved the amended budget on a 4-1 vote. Supervisor and board chair Rosario Rodriguez cast the lone dissenting vote, citing cuts to public safety funding, including the elimination of the POP team…