This is a request for City Council to authorize acceptance of funding from the U.S. Department of Justice, FY16 Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) Hiring Program Grant to hire one new police officer. Funding will include a portion of the officer’s salary and benefits with a maximum of $125,000 through August 2019.

The U.S. Department of Justice is funding the FY16 COPS Hiring Program Grant. The purpose of the COPS Hiring Program Grant is to enhance public safety by utilizing community policing to increase crime prevention and assisting with full-time sworn officer staffing needs throughout agencies nationwide. 

Funding was requested to improve trust and legitimacy with the community through partnerships with city neighborhoods. This officer will focus on specific neighborhood issues and create innovative partnerships in solving crime. This officer will engage with the citizens and use principles of procedural justice to increase legitimacy in the community. The focus will be on sustained long-term solutions to reduce crime in identified areas.

The COPS Hiring Program Grant will partially fund one police officer position for three years with a required annual match from the City of Peoria.  The city would be responsible for fully funding the position beginning in FY2020.  This grant is reimbursable and will provide funding through August 2019.

A:  Accept the grant award totaling $125,000, authorize one new police officer position and approve a budget adjustment up to $102,000 from the General Fund Contingency account to the Police Department accounts.

The COPS Hiring Program Grant will fund $41,667 annually for three years with a maximum of $125,000 to help offset the cost of one new police officer position.  The Peoria Police Department will be required to fund any additional costs above the annual amount.  After the three year duration of federal funding, the city will be required to fund the ongoing position from the general fund.

The cost of the new police officer position is estimated at an average of $102,000 annually over the 3 year period.  Therefore, the net average annual ongoing impact including the grant offset is expected to be $60,333 for the first three years.

For FY2017, a budget adjustment is requested for up to $102,000 (amount may be pro-rated based on actual hiring date) from the General Fund Contingency Account (1000-0300-570000) to various Police Department accounts for ongoing funding.  Also request budget authorization of $4,830 from the Police Asset Forfeiture Account (7350-7500) for one-time funding.

SWORN OFFICER COSTS - ANNUAL ONGOING COSTS

SWORN OFFICER COSTS - ONE-TIME