City of Alexandria, Virginia
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MEMORANDUM
DATE: SEPTEMBER 4, 2013
TO: THE HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL
FROM: RASHAD M. YOUNG, CITY MANAGER /s/
DOCKET TITLE:
TITLE
Ratification of Submission of a Grant Application to the Virginia Office of Attorney General for Police Department Equipment and Training.
BODY
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ISSUE: Ratification of submission of a grant application from the Alexandria Police Department (APD) to the Virginia Office of the Attorney General (OAG), in the amount of $1,020,510, to be used for the purchase of Police equipment and training.
RECOMMENDATION: That City Council:
(1) Ratify the submission of a grant application to the Office of Attorney General of Virginia in the amount of $1,020,510 (due August 1, 2013 during City Council's 2013 summer recess).
(2) Authorize the City Manager to execute all necessary documents that may be required.
DISCUSSION: The Alexandria Police Department requested $1,020,510 to provide for the following equipment and training needs:
· Mobile Command Vehicle Replacement ($490,000) - The primary goal of the mobile command platform is to equip the City's law enforcement agencies (Police Department and Sheriff's Office) as well as the Fire and Rescue department with the necessary equipment to respond, manage, and recover from local Incident Command System (ICS)/National Incident Management System (NIMS) incidents and/or major disaster scenes. It also provides the Alexandria Police Department with the necessary equipment and platform to support other governmental agencies in their response to these types of emergencies.
The current Police mobile command vehicle was purchased with grant funds and deployed in early 2007. It is now in need of technology updates and structural repairs. A cost analysis of refurbishment versus replacement was conducted. This analysis indicated that the cost of replacement was more cost effective than refurbishment. In addition, the design, procurement, and build out date of these vehicles take approximately 18 months. All of these factors necessitate the need to accelerate replacement.
The total cost estimate of replacement is $800,000. The amount requested ($490,000) represents only a portion of the cost, as the remaining funds will come from different sources. The City of Alexandria has set aside $225,000 in the equipment replacement fund toward the vehicle's replacement. APD also anticipates a trade-in credit of approximately $85,000 from the vendor.
· Armored Personnel Carrier (APC) Replacement ($205,000) - The current APC was purchased with grant funds and was not budgeted for replacement. It is ten years old and has passed its useful life. The APC is utilized by APD's Special Operations Team in all callouts and emergency incidents. Replacement is necessary to maintain agency readiness to respond to emergency incidents and utilize updated technology.
· Electronic Surveillance Technology Upgrades ($113,500) - Funds will be used to provide for necessary upgrades associated with APD's current electronic surveillance capability. This technology enhances the Police Department's ability to gather information used in investigations, which has resulted in an increased number of case closures. Software and hardware upgrades are necessary to keep pace with technology developments.
· Computer Forensics Training ($18,910) - APD is requesting funds to send a detective to Computer Forensics Training. For over two decades, the use of computers in committing crimes has increased. Because of the significant increases in the use of computer devices and the added complexity of the devices that must be examined, the Police Department would like to train an additional detective to collect this evidence. This is necessary to handle the current volume of work and process cases in a timely manner.
· Tasers ($170,969) - APD is requesting funds to expand its current TASER program. The TASER is an effective non-lethal weapon and is a proven deterrent when dealing with violent subjects. Equipping additional officers with TASERs will reduce the probability of officer injuries and increase officer survival skills.
· Mounted Shotgun Lights ($22,131) - APD's current shotguns are not equipped with any type of a forward lighting device, making it difficult for the patrol officers to safely deploy the weapon at night or in areas of reduced lighting. The mounted lights will afford officers the opportunity to deploy the weapon in a safe manner.
BACKGROUND: During City Council's 2013 summer recess, the Office of the Attorney General of Virginia made grant funds available to state and local law enforcement agencies for the purchase of law enforcement equipment, training, and facilities. Funds are to be used for the purpose of preventing and deterring crime, and improving the functioning of the criminal justice system. On the due date of August 1, 2013, staff submitted an application in order to meet the deadline for this grant solicitation. If grant funds are awarded, acceptance will be contingent on City Council's ratification of the application.
FISCAL IMPACT: This is a one-time grant program and there is no match requirement. If APD is awarded funds for the replacement of the Mobile Command Vehicle, funds depreciated for its replacement will need to be appropriated from the vehicle replacement fund.
ATTACHMENT: None
STAFF:
Michele Evans, Deputy City Manager
Earl Cook, Police Chief
Elisabeth Weaver, Division Chief, Police Department