ACTION REQUESTED:
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Communication from the City Manager and the Chief of Police Requesting Authorization to Apply for the FY2015 COMMMUNITY ORIENTED POLICING SERVICES (COPS) Grant to Add Four Police Officers.
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BACKGROUND: In May, the US Department of Justice released its application for the FY2015 Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) grant. The grant, whose application is due June 19, 2015, will pay for up to 75% of the cost of salary and benefits for additional police officers for three years, but not more than $125,000 in total per officer. The City must commit to maintaining the new authorized strength (inclusive of the new officers) during the fourth year.
The City of Peoria has applied for and been awarded COPS grants in the past. Most recently, in 2013 the City received a COPS grant that paid a total of $750,000 (or about $250,000 per year) for three years to hire an additional six officers. This brought the Police Departments authorized strength of sworn personnel from 218 to 224 where it stands today. Like the present opportunity, the 2013 grant required that during the fourth year of the award, the City will retain the six officers and cover the expenses incurred for that retention. The fourth year retention of the officers funded by the 2013 grant will begin January of 2017.
The Peoria Police Department is seeking funding under the FY2015 COPS hiring program for the addition of four new officers. The 2015 grant will cover up to 75% of the approved entry-level salary and fringe benefits of each new full-time sworn law enforcement officer over the three year funding of the grant period. The City would be responsible for a financial match of at least 25% of the salary and benefits of each officer during those first three years. However, the total grant from the Department of Justice will not exceed $125,000 per officer for the entire grant period which will result in the City paying more than 25% (see Financial Impact below). As with the prior COPS award the City received, there is a fourth year retention component to this award under which the City would be responsible for the full cost of salary and benefits of those officers in 2019. If fully awarded and accepted, the City would be responsible for maintaining an authorized strength of 228 through 2019.
According to the COPS documentation, the goal of the program is to "increase the capacity of law enforcement to implement community policing strategies for safer communities and enhance law enforcement's capacity to prevent, solve, and control crime through funding for additional officers". That goal fits into the Peoria Police Department's shift from traditional policing into the community-based strategy of "Pulling Levers". The receipt of this award would enhance and strengthen the Department's current "Don't Shoot Peoria" crime control model.
FINANCIAL IMPACT: The grant specifies that the City would be responsible for at least 25% of the salary and benefits of each officer for the first three years (2016-2018) and 100% of the cost for the fourth year (2019). However, the total award per officer will not exceed $125,000 per officer over the three years. The following table shows a breakdown of anticipated costs to the City during the first three years:
|
2016 |
2017 |
2018 |
2019 |
Salary (per officer) |
$56,719 |
$59,301 |
$63,572 |
$66,441 |
Benefits (per officer) |
$46,811 |
$51,704 |
$55,585 |
$57,317 |
Total (per officer) |
$103,530 |
$111,005 |
$119,157 |
$123,758 |
Grant Funding |
$41,667 |
$41,667 |
$41,666 |
$0 |
City Cost |
$61,863 |
$69,338 |
$77,491 |
$123,758 |
|
|
|
|
|
4 New Officers |
$414,120 |
$444,020 |
$476,628 |
$495,032 |
Grant Funding |
$166,668 |
$166,668 |
$166,664 |
$0 |
City Cost |
$247,452 |
$277,352 |
$309,964 |
$495,032 |
Based on the above, if the City were awarded a $500,000 grant that added four officers (4 x $125,000), the City would be responsible for covering an anticipated match of $247,452 in 2016; $277,352 in 2017 and $309,964 in 2018. In 2019, when the City would be responsible for covering the full cost of the four officers, the expenditure would be $495,032.
NEIGHBORHOOD CONCERNS: Additional police officers will help address public safety issues.
IMPACT IF APPROVED: The City will apply for a FY2015 COPS grant. The City will apply for 4 new positions but might be awarded less total positions. If awarded, likely in the fall of this year, the City would have the right to refuse all or part of the grant if economic conditions prevented it from being able to pay for the increased cost.
IMPACT IF DENIED: The City will not apply for a FY2015 COPS grant.
ALTERNATIVES: Direct staff to apply for less or more officers.
EEO CERTIFICATION NUMBER: Not applicable.
WHICH OF THE GOALS IDENTIFIED IN THE COUNCIL'S 2014 - 2029 STRATEGIC PLAN DOES THIS RECOMMENDATION ADVANCE?
1. Attractive Neighborhoods with Character: Safe and Livable
2. Financially Sound City Government, Effective City Organization
WHICH CRITICAL SUCCESS FACTOR(S) FROM THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN DOES THIS RECOMMENDATION IMPLEMENT?
1. Reduce crime.
DEPARTMENT: Police