Fairfield Police Chief urges support for Measure P tax increase

Chief cites need to maintain staffing and services amid rising costs

Published on Mar. 2, 2026

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Fairfield Police Chief Dan Marshall has issued an open letter urging residents to support a proposed increase to the city's 1 percent Measure P sales tax. Marshall credits the existing Measure P with keeping the department financially stable for over a decade, but says rising costs are outpacing revenues, leaving the city facing difficult choices to reduce staff and services without an update to the measure.

Why it matters

Measure P provides crucial funding for public safety in Fairfield, and an increase would allow the police department to maintain current staffing levels and service quality amid rising costs. Without an update, the department may have to make cuts that could impact public trust and community safety.

The details

In his letter, Marshall says Measure P has ensured the police department could maintain staffing, operations, and training, while also increasing accountability through independent oversight and audits. However, he warns that costs are rising faster than revenues, forcing the city to consider reductions in staff and services if the measure is not updated.

  • Fairfield residents will vote on a proposed Measure P increase in November 2026.
  • The Fairfield Police Department announced a DUI and Driver's License Checkpoint for Friday, March 6, 2026.

The players

Dan Marshall

Fairfield Police Chief who issued an open letter urging residents to support a proposed increase to the city's Measure P sales tax.

Fairfield

A city in California where the police department is seeking to update the Measure P public safety sales tax.

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What they’re saying

“Safe communities are not built overnight, nor do they happen by accident. They are the product of transparency, intentional partnership, and trust.”

— Dan Marshall, Fairfield Police Chief (thereporter.com)

“Because you supported Measure P, the department maintained staffing levels, ensured patrol operations were not interrupted, and invested in training that ensures our officers respond to situations with the right measure of care.”

— Dan Marshall, Fairfield Police Chief (thereporter.com)

What’s next

Fairfield residents will vote on the proposed Measure P increase in November 2026.

The takeaway

Measure P has been crucial for maintaining public safety services in Fairfield, but rising costs mean an increase is needed to avoid cuts to staffing and programs. This highlights the ongoing challenge of funding essential services amid budgetary pressures.