CC MEETING: October 18, 2016
DATE: October 10, 2016
TO: Leonard Martin, City Manager
FROM: Rex D. Redden, Chief of Police
Title
Consider A Resolution Authorizing The City Manager To Accept An Award Through The Department Of Justice Community Oriented Policing Services Hiring Program By Signing The Award Agreement.
Body
BACKGROUND:
The Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS Office) is the component of the U.S. Department of Justice responsible for advancing the practice of community policing by the nation's state, local, territorial, and tribal law enforcement agencies through information and grant resources. The COPS Office awards grants to hire community policing professionals, develop and test innovative policing strategies, and provide training and technical assistance to community members, local government leaders, and all levels of law enforcement. Since 1994, the COPS Office has invested more than $14 billion to help advance community policing.
On June 17, 2016, City Council authorized the City Manager to request funding through the COPS Office Hiring Program Grant. On October 3, 2016, the Carrollton Police Department was selected as a grant recipient. The grant requested funding for two full-time bicycle officers in order to expand the relationships in Downtown Carrollton and other areas of the city. The Bike Unit will be deployed to hot spot locations as well as regularly patrol parks and trails. The bike officers will use data obtained through the Intelligence Division to deploy its resources and address various crime and quality of life issues in different areas of the city.
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS:
The COPS grant will cover up to 75 percent of the approved entry level salary and benefits of newly hired full-time sworn law enforcement officers over a three-year award period, with a minimum 25 percent local match and a maximum federal share of $125,000 per officer position. The City is required to fully fund at least one additional year for the two police officer positions after the three-year grant period ends.
The following chart is a breakdown of the projected cost over a three-year period:
Federal Share Year FY 16-17: $141,845
Federal Share Year FY 17-18: $ 80,832
Federal Share Year FY 18-19: $ 27,323
Total Federal Share $250,000.00
Local Share Year FY 16-17: $ 38,562
Local Share Year FY 17-18: $122,696
Local Share Year FY 18-19: $189,303
Total Local Share $350,561
Total 3 Year Budget $600,561
In addition to the above costs, an additional $33,781 of non-recurring funds will be needed in FY 2016-17. After the grant is complete, the projected costs for these positions in FY 2019-20 are $218,037.
The FY 2016-17 budget included funding for two additional officers for a bicycle unit, but did not include funding the local share for the two officers to be funded by the COPS grant. If approved, the City’s local share of $38,562 for FY 2016-17 and the needed non-recurring funds of $33,781 will be funded from General Fund budgeted contingencies. In future years, new budget funds would need to be allocated for the City’s local share.
IMPACT ON COMMUNITY SUSTAINABILITY:
The impact of this project seeks to build community relationships between the Police Department and the citizens and various neighborhoods throughout the city by developing community trust and promoting accountability between all parties.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION/ACTION DESIRED:
Staff recommends that the City Council adopt the attached resolution and authorize the City Manager to accept the award through the Department of Justice Community Oriented Policing Services Hiring Program by signing the award agreement.