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HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 1a: Resolution 6742 to use COPS-SLESF funds for Front Line Police ServicesDATE: October 19, 2010 TO: Mayor and Members of the City Council FROM: Robert P. Sanderson, Chief of Police`s By: Nancy Chik, Senior Management Analyst— EXI -IIBIT "A" STAFF REPORT Police Department SUBJECT: Resolution No. 6742 authorizing the Arcadia Police Department to use funds allocated from the Citizens' Option for Public Safety — Supplemental Law Enforcement Services Fund (COPS - SLESF) for the purpose of front line police services Recommendation: Adopt SUMMARY This staff report explains the Citizens' Option for Public Safety (COPS) program and requests approval of Resolution 6742, which will authorize expenditure of funds for specific law enforcement purposes. BACKGROUND Each year the State Legislature considers supplemental funding for local police departments under the COPS program. The annual decision to fund the COPS program is based upon budget priorities and available funds. Although the program has been funded the past 13 years, the COPS program funding continues on a year -to -year basis. The intent of the COPS program is to enable local police agencies to enhance public safety by purchasing equipment and /or services otherwise unavailable to them through their respective budgets. The COPS program distributes State funds to local cities on a per capita basis. Recipient cities are required to deposit the State funds in a local Supplemental Law Enforcement Services Fund (SLESF) to be expended only for equipment and services requested by the Chief of Police and approved by the City Council. Every year the police chief submits a list of the items and /or services to be expended with COPS -SLESF funds. The City Council reviews and approves the expenditures. The State has placed the following limitations on the funds: 1. They must be used for front line police services in accordance with a plan submitted by the Chief of Police; 2. Their use must not supplant what has been or should be general fund expenditures, and; 3. The spending plan must be submitted to the State for audit purposes. DISCUSSION With Council approval in 1997, the Department created a Crime Analysis Unit with COPS -SLESF funds. Since that time, the crime analyst position has proven itself to be highly effective in evaluating crime patterns and trends, as well as tracking criminal activities of known offenders and recidivists. The minimum allocation for each city is $100,000, and the Department proposes to continue funding the crime analyst position's salary and benefits from the COPS -SLESF fund. FISCAL IMPACT None. These expenditures have no impact upon the City's General Fund. RECOMMENDATION Adopt Resolution No. 6742 to use funds allocated from the Citizens' Option for Public Safety - Supplemental Law Enforcement Fund (COPS - SLESF) for the purpose of front line police services. Approved: .J -e. Donald Penman, City Manager RESOLUTION NO. 6742 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ARCADIA, CALIFORNIA, AUTHORIZING THE ARCADIA POLICE DEPARTMENT TO USE FUNDS ALLOCATED FROM THE CITIZENS' OPTION FOR PUBLIC SAFETY - SUPPLEMENTAL LAW ENFORCEMENT SERVICES FUND (COPS - SLESF) FOR THE PURPOSE OF FRONT LINE POLICE SERVICES WHEREAS, Citizens' Option for Public Safety - Supplemental Law Enforcement Services Fund (COPS - SLESF) allocates funds from the State to the City of Arcadia for front line police services and requires the Chief of Police of the local jurisdiction to submit a plan for using the funds; and WHEREAS, the Chief of Police has submitted a written request (attached Exhibit A) to the City Council specifying front line law enforcement programs that are necessary to meet the needs of Arcadia, with information as to the personnel, equipment, and programs that are necessary to meet those needs. NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ARCADIA, CALIFORNIA, DOES HEREBY FIND, DETERMINE, AND RESOLVE AS FOLLOWS: SECTION 1. A duly noticed public hearing was conducted on October 19, 2010, to consider the Police Chief's request for needed front line law enforcement services. SECTION 2. Having conducted a public hearing, the City Council authorizes the expenditure of funds allocated from COPS -SLESF to continue funding the existing crime analyst position. SECTION 3. The City Council determines and finds that the requests as set forth in Section 2 above comply with the requirements of Sections 30061 et seq. of the Government Code. 1 ATTEST: City Clerk SECTION 4. The City Clerk shall certify to the adoption of this Resolution. Passed, approved and adopted this APPROVED AS TO FORM: Stephen P. Deitsch City Attorney P 6.8c-ci 2 day of , 2010. Mayor of the City of Arcadia