City of Alexandria, Virginia
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MEMORANDUM
DATE: JUNE 18, 2014
TO: THE HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL
FROM: RASHAD M. YOUNG, CITY MANAGER /s/
DOCKET TITLE:
TITLE
Consideration of Ratification of Submission of a Grant Application to the U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS), for Funding from the FY 2014 COPS Hiring Program (CHP).
BODY
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ISSUE: Ratification of submission of a grant application to the U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS), to obtain funding available through the FY 2014 COPS Hiring Program (CHP) for the hiring and rehiring of additional career law enforcement officers. Acceptance of the prospective grant award is contingent upon City Council approval of this docket item.
RECOMMENDATION: That City Council:
(1) Ratify the submission of a grant application (due June 23, 2014) to the U.S. Department of Justice that provides up to 75 percent funding for approved entry-level salaries and benefits for 3 years (36 months) for newly-hired, full time sworn officers; and
(2) Authorize the City Manager to execute all the necessary documents that may be required.
BACKGROUND: The mission of the Alexandria Police Department is to provide competent, courteous, professional, and community oriented police services. APD is committed to maintaining and enhancing a strong and productive partnership with the community to continue to reduce crime and improve the quality of life in all of Alexandria's neighborhoods.
The goal of community policing is to improve the quality of life of citizens by identifying and addressing crime issues. In the traditional policing model, officers are reactive because they typically respond to emergency calls and arrest criminals. Whereas the community policing model allows for more proactive policing because it allows for officers to work closely with members of the community, city agencies, and Departmental sections to find out what causes crime and disorder and attempt to creatively solve problems in their assigned communities. Officers act as liaisons between communities and various organizations to solve problems and break down the anonymity often perceived by members of the public. When community policing is properly deployed, problems can often be resolved before they start.
DISCUSSION: The U.S. Department of Justice is offering funding through the Office of Community Oriented Policing Services Hiring Program (CHP). The CHP is a competitive grant program that provides funding directly to law enforcement agencies having primary law enforcement authority to impact their community policing capacity and problem solving efforts.
This grant request is for two community policing related sworn positions to be expended over a three year period (Federal FY14, FY15 and FY16). Grant funds will be used to restore two sworn officer positions (1 Homeland Security Detective and 1 Motor officer) that were eliminated due to budget constraints in FY14 and FY15. These positions represent key components of the Alexandria Police Department's community policing strategy.
The Police Department's goal of developing and maintaining the capacity to safely, effectively, and efficiently deliver public safety services with an emphasis on core public safety programs has been significantly impaired due to the loss of the requested positions. Without these positions, targeted neighborhoods and programs (areas with higher levels of crime) will continue to receive reduced levels of community policing.
FISCAL IMPACT: The FY 2014 COPs Hiring Program will fund 75 percent of each sworn position up to a maximum of $125,000 over the three year period. In addition, the grant requires jurisdictions to retain the sworn officers for one additional year. Based on the current entry level police officer salary and benefit cost projections, the total four-year cost for the two officer positions will be $588,927. Of this amount, the grant will fund $250,000, leaving a City share of $338,927 ($53,305 in FY15; $60,136 in FY16; $67,310 in FY17; and $158,176 in FY18) over four fiscal years. If approved, funds will be found within the Police Department's existing operating budget to provide the grant match.
ATTACHMENTS:
None.
STAFF:
Michele Evans, Deputy City Manager
Earl Cook, Police Chief
Eddie Reyes, Deputy Chief, Patrol Operations Bureau