Fiscal Note
The COPS Hiring grant would pay 48% of the salary and fringe benefit costs of 3 entry-level police officers for 3 years for a total of $375,000. The City's personnel cost over the 3-year grant period is estimated to be $408,955. For 2014, the positions would begin with the Fall Academy in September and cost the City $19,504. The City would also spend $24,840 for initial issue uniforms, equipment and supplies for a total 2014 cost of $44,344. Funding is not included in the 2014 operating budget. If the grant is awarded, an additional appropriation may be needed as part of the annual year-end resolution.
The terms of the grant would require the City to maintain its authorized strength for the 3 grant years plus 1 additional year. Total estimated City costs for 2015-2017 are $499,221 and would need to be included in the Department's operating budget.
$444,691 Personnel (2015 = $92,611; 2016 = $142,256; 2017 = $209,824)
(2017 includes partial year with no grant funding)
50,000 2 Vehicles (2015)
4,530 Office Setup (2015)
$499,221
The personnel costs above include a new upgraded sergeant position to be created in 2015, resulting in an incremental total City cost of $54,852 for 2015-2017.
Title
Authorizing the Madison Police Department to apply for and accept a FY2014 COPS Hiring grant of $375,000 for the purpose of hiring three police officers for a new Community Policing Outreach Unit to reduce arrest racial disparity and improve trust and perception of fairness through procedural justice, community outreach and problem solving, especially involving youth of color
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WHEREAS, the U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (the COPS Office) has issued a solicitation for grant applications to hire law enforcement personnel in an effort to increase their community policing capacity and crime prevention efforts, with a special focus on addressing trust problems and school safety; and,
WHEREAS, these grants, if awarded, cover 48% percent of the approved entry-level salary and fringe benefits of each newly-hired full-time sworn career law enforcement officer over three years (36 months); and,
WHEREAS, the Madison Police Department plans to submit a request for funding a total of three (3) additional officer positions under the terms of this grant; and,
WHEREAS, these positions would then be assigned as to a new Community Policing Outreach Unit, comprised of one sergeant and two officers; and,
WHEREAS, these positions will be part of a Department-wide initiative to build relationships with youth, especially middle school age children, to foster mutual trust and positive and productive police interactions, resolve conflicts to prevent youth from resorting to violence, and to explain the criminal justice system to youth; and,
WHEREAS, the Community Policing Outreach Unit will expand and coordinate programs to divert youth from the criminal justice system, such as youth academies, an Explorer program, restorative justice and community courts; and,
WHEREAS, the Community Policing Outreach Unit will work collaboratively with police districts and outside agencies to find solutions to social and community issues; and,
WHEREAS, including these new positions in the fall recruit class of the Police Training Academy will allow the new Community Policing Outreach Unit to become operational in June 2015; and,
WHEREAS, an experienced officer will be promoted to sergeant in June 2015, and an experienced sergeant will be selected to lead the Unit when it becomes operational.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Madison Police Department is authorized to apply for and accept an FY2014 COPS Hiring grant for three additional commissioned law enforcement officers. (SG35-51110 = $255,693; SG35-52750 = $119,307)
BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED, that the grant application will indicate that the intent of adding the three (3) new positions is to increase the number of police officers and assign them to the Community Policing Outreach Unit, in order to enhance the community policing effort to reduce arrest racial disparity and improve trust and perception of fairness through procedural justice, community outreach and problem solving, especially regarding youth of color.