HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 2f: LA IMPACT Task Force Participation & Funds for New Police OfficerDATE: March 2, 2010
TO:
SUMMARY
BACKGROUND
Mayor and Members of the City Council
STAFF REPORT
Police Department
FROM: Robert P. Sanderson, Chief of Police
By: Nancy Chik, Senior Management Analyst
SUBJECT: Participation in the Los Angeles Interagency Metropolitan Police
Apprehension Crime Task Force (L.A IMPACT) and Utilize Asset Seizure
Forfeiture Funds to Pay for Salary and Benefits of a New Police Officer
Recommendation: Approve
Staff recommends that the City Council approve the assignment of a police officer to the
Los Angeles Interagency Metropolitan Police Apprehension Crime Task Force (LA.
IMPACT), and allow the utilization of approximately $115,000 annually from Asset
Seizure Forfeiture funds to pay for the salary and benefits of a newly hired police officer.
L.A. IMPACT is a countywide, multi jurisdictional major crime task force that became
operational in 1991. The task force gives smaller agencies a much greater ability to
combat criminals and narcotic traffickers by pooling personnel and resources. The task
force is also able to attack the multitude of crimes associated with the pervasive gang
movement in and around Los Angeles County.
By participating in the task force operation, intelligence information is readily shared. As
such, many potential crimes are suppressed before they have a chance to materialize in
our own community. The Department also has the ability to call on the task force to
ascent with special investigations that exceed our local manpower capabilities.
After the horrific event of September 11, 2001, there is now an additional threat to our
society. Law enforcement agencies must respond collectively to terrorist threats, and
the task force is uniquely situated to undertake the joint and cooperative effort to
confront these threats on a local basis.
DISCUSSION
The Arcadia Police Department has participated in L.A. IMPACT since its inception;
however, a police officer had to be withdrawn from the task force in 2005 due to
personnel shortages. Since the Department has now reached a stable patrol staffing
level and due to continued budgetary constraints, the Department recommends sending
an officer to the task force whereby an additional police officer can be hired as a
replacement.
Asset Seizure Forfeiture spending guidelines allow a law enforcement agency,
participating in a task force, to hire.a new officer and use forfeiture funds to pay the
salary and benefits of the replacement officer. This will allow the Department to attain a
new police officer without affecting the General Fund. Additionally, by assigning an
officer to the task force, the City will benefit from the equitable sharing of assets seized
during investigations.
Since the participation in L.A. IMPACT is a benefit to both the Department and the City,
staff recommends assigning a police officer to the task force and appropriating
approximately $115,000 annually from the Asset Seizure Forfeiture fund to pay for the
salary and benefits of a new police officer.
FISCAL IMPACT
The annual expenditure of approximately $115,000 of Asset Seizure Forfeiture funds
has no impact upon the General Fund of the City.
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that the City Council approve the participation in the Los
Angeles Interagency Metropolitan Police Apprehension Crime Task Force (L.A.
IMPACT) and utilize Asset Seizure Forfeiture funds to pay for salary and benefits
of a new police officer.
Approved:
..esz. ?m om)
Donald Penman, City Manager