A San Francisco Bay Area police chief set up beds at the local police station, allegedly sleeping there during working days, and returning to his home in Idaho, more than 600 miles (965 kilometers) away on the weekend, according to U.S. media, a move that sparked calls for his resignation.

Police chief Emon Allen of the city of Milbridge (approximately 15 miles south of San Francisco) was recently officially complained by the city manager to the County Attorney. This incident stems from explosive TV reports that included photos of two new bedrooms in the Milbridge Police Department since Allen took office in the summer of 2024.

According to local media reports, property records show Allen bought a home in the outskirts of Boise, Idaho, last June.

Allen declined to respond when asked if he lived in Idaho. The formal complaint against Allen stated that because the sheriff "currently lives in the Boise area, Idaho," he used the police station "as a bedroom facility."

According to the City of Milbury's Code of Professional Ethics,"no public official may use municipal property for personal needs, convenience or profit."

David Kanepa, chairman of the San Mateo County Supervisory Board, told local television: ¡°If someone lives in the outskirts or outskirts, they must bear the cost of accommodation themselves, and San Mateo County is not a holiday hotel.¡±

¡°We need to verify whether someone has long-term residence in it,¡± said Carnepa, adding, ¡°these are taxpayers¡¯ money, and we have to make sure that the use of these facilities is really in taxpayers¡¯ interests.

According to Carnegie, police officers who appear in court the next day and work at night can get a bed, but this is an exception to the rule.

Law enforcement experts pointed out that given the police officer must be able to respond at any time in emergencies, Allen¡¯s remote residence status is indeed problematic.

"It's ridiculous not being able to return to duty quickly during an emergency," Richard Correa, a former commander of the San Francisco Police Department, told the television station. Sheriffs must be on standby in response to major crime, earthquake or other catastrophic events.

"You would want the police chief to be a stakeholder in the community, to experience community life in a nuanced way, to really understand the community dynamics and grasp the actual situation, while still being on call," Correa said.

The station's investigation also found that at least six superintendents of the San Mateo County Sheriff's Office live out of state, including Idaho, Nevada, Texas and Tennessee.

Two of the police officers worked in a bomb handling team, with an annual income of $600,000 including welfare.

California police chief probed for sleeping at station while living 600 miles away