By Joanna Putman
Police1
SAN DIEGO — A new childcare center for parents within the San Diego Police Department is set to open in January, The San Diego Union-Tribune reported.
The center is part of an effort to recruit and retain more officers, according to the report. It will accommodate police officers’ hours and cost about half the market rate.
“This childcare center has been years in the making and is a great example of innovative, police-led solutions that benefit our officers and our communities who depend on them,” Chief David Nisleit said.
The center is funded for the next three years by a $5.7 million grant, with $3 million coming from the state, according to the report.
Other initiatives in expanding childcare for law enforcement in San Diego include a sheriff’s department partnership with the tech startup TOOTRiS, which allows department staff to use the company’s childcare search platform. The San Diego Unified School District also aims to build affordable housing for government employees, thanks to a $3.2 billion bond measure approved by voters last year, according to the report.
KinderCare, the childcare center’s operator, is reportedly working with a waitlist of parents to determine their needs.