HomeMy WebLinkAbout05/21/2013 09 Police Assigned Vehicle Program Expansion�1,I \;r, ♦ � if
BUSINESS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
YAKIMA, WASHINGTON
AGENDA STATEMENT
Item No.
For Meeting of- 5/21/2013
ITEM TITLE: Proposed expansion of police assigned vehicle program.
SUBMITTED BY: Tony O'Rourke, City Manager
SUMMARY EXPLANATION:
See attached memoruandum.
Resolution:
Ordinance:
Other (Specify):
Contract:
Contract Term:
Start Date:
End Date:
Item Budgeted:
Amount:
Funding Source /Fiscal Impact:
Strategic Priority:
Public Safety
Insurance Required? No
Mail to:
Phone:
APPROVED FOR
SUBMITTAL: City Manager
RECOMMENDATION:
ATTACHMENTS:
Name:
❑ 051613 Memo re APV oroaram.docx
❑ Takehome oolice2013 (2).xlsx
❑ APV Policv.doc
❑ 051513 memo from YPPA.odf
Description:
APV cover memo
APV cost analysis
APV DRAFT Policy
YPPA memo
MEMORANDUM
To: Honorable Mayor and Members of the Yakima City Council
From: Tony O'Rourke, City Manager
Date: May 14, 2013
RE: Proposed Expansion of Assigned Police Vehicle Program
The City of Yakima is committed to providing a safe and security environment for its
residents, businesses, and visitors. Unfortunately, random acts of gang violence,
property crime and auto theft have undermined the public's sense of security in Yakima
despite the fact that the crime index per capita in Yakima has been reduced by over
50% since 1990. Based on the 2012 Citizen Survey, only 26% of Yakima residents feel
safe from being a victim of a violent crime, and only 50% feel safe in their
neighborhoods after dark.
To ensure healthy and vital neighborhoods free of crime, the City has increased its
Gang Free Initiative partnerships and scope, created a second five - member gang unit,
initiated a full -time summer police bike patrol, increased lighting and surveillance
measures at key parking portals at the Greenway, added officers to the Violent Crime
Task Force and School Resource Officer program, and hired a full -time crime analyst to
enhance police intelligence and productivity.
To further increase police productivity, visibility, and community safety, the Chief of
Police, Yakima Police Patrolman's Association, and myself have collaborated on the
proposed expansion of the Assigned Police Vehicle (APV) program for City Council
review and consideration.
Assigned police vehicles are currently prevalent throughout the United States and share
several features. Typically, APV programs allow sworn police officers to travel to and
from their home to work. The initial benefits of the assigned police vehicles include:
Enhanced police presence in the community.
The greater visibility of police resulting from an increased number of
marked police vehicles on the streets will serve to increase Yakima's
citizens sense of security, and create the profile of a significant police
presence in the community. On a typical police shift, 4 to 17 marked
police vehicles are in the community. Based on an assigned police
vehicle program, the number would increase to 74, which represents a
435% increase over the maximum number of marked units currently in the
community at any one time.
2. Crime Deterrence
The significant increase of additional marked police vehicles in Yakima
neighborhoods, shopping centers, downtown, school zones, and
recreational areas signals the presence of police officers. This presence
will clearly have a "chilling" or deterrent effect upon individuals or gangs
contemplating committing a crime.
3. Improved police response times
By using marked police vehicles for off duty purposes, Yakima police
officers will be available to respond more quickly to emergencies given
they do not have to travel to the Police Department's central downtown
location to gain access to their vehicles and equipment. This valuable
time savings can prove critical in emergency circumstances.
4. Community relations
By increasing the presence of Yakima police officers, the public will have
both greater visibility and accessibility to them. This greater public contact
and involvement will increase public communications and mutual respect.
5. Supplement on -duty police force
The current on -duty patrol shifts will be greatly supplemented by off -duty
officers in their marked vehicles. Instead of a standard 4 to 17 person
shift, there could be up to 74 patrol officers on the streets of Yakima,
thereby adding extra eyes, ears, and hands for emergency situations or
providing a critical back -up for on -duty officers in dangerous situations.
6. Reduced vehicle unit cost
A number of assigned patrol vehicle studies have documented the fact
that assigned vehicles versus pool vehicles have longer useful life's and
lower maintenance and operating costs. With one operator, responsibility
and accountability for proper vehicle care and maintenance is clearly
fixed, unlike a pool vehicle.
7. Enhanced police productivity
On average, each officer spends 30 minutes per shift checking in and out
their patrol pool vehicles, as well as, loading and unloading their
equipment, paperwork and weapons. For Yakima, this represents
approximately 450 hours per month or the equivalent of 2.5 patrol officers
per year.
8. Greater police morale
The police patrol vehicle is an officer's office. Can you imagine having to
pack and then unpack your office after each workday? In addition, most
patrol vehicles are sedans. Most of our officers are above average in size.
Their physical stature, coupled with the radio, computer, files and
weapons in their vehicles make them very cramped. Now compound that
by a 10 hour shift driving. Under the proposed assigned police vehicle
program, officers will get to select between a police sedan or SUV. The
vast majority of patrol officers want an SUV to work and drive in. By
meeting their needs, officer morale, productivity, and job satisfaction will
increase.
The City of Yakima has been engaged in assigned police vehicles for at least 20 years.
The City currently assigns about 60 vehicles to police command staff and officers in
specialty positions (e.g. detectives, gang unit, transit officer, traffic unit, housing officer,
SRO's and K -9 officers). Thirty -one of the 60 currently assigned vehicles are assigned
to patrol (24 marked and 7 unmarked). The goal of expanding the existing police
assigned vehicle program is to include all police patrol officers. This will require the
purchase of 74 additional vehicles at a total cost of $4,780,254 or $796,709 annually for
six years. Based on the attached financial analysis, the capital cost of purchasing 74
patrol vehicles is offset by the historical capital investment annually for police patrol
vehicles ($425,000), coupled with the projected costs savings of not providing a
traditional annual cost of living adjustment to the police officers. Deferring a YPPA
COLA adjustment for FY 2013 and FY 2014, would save the City approximately
$800,000 annually.
Over the past decade, police officers have averaged an annual 3.7% cost -of- living
adjustment. Assuming a deferral of a more conservative 3% COLA for the next two
years, this represents a compounded savings of $4,441,470 over the next six years, or
the expected life of the new assigned police vehicles. In addition, the City expects to
generate approximately $219,000 in police productivity or the full time equivalent of 2.5
patrol officers by eliminating the average 30 minutes patrol officers spend checking
out /in patrol pool vehicles and loading /unloading equipment for their pool vehicle per
shift. In summary, the APV program pays for itself through the YPPA deferring its cost
of living adjustments and enhanced police productivity. The YPPA has committed to
memorializing their willingness to defer a cost -of- living adjustment in FY 2014 and FY
2013, subject to City Council approval of the expanded APV program (see attached
memo from YPPA President).
Financing Method
To finance the proposed $4,780,254 investment in 74 additional police patrol vehicles,
staff intends to utilize the State of Washington Capital Asset Lending Program.
The Washington State Treasurer's Office administers an equipment financing tool for
local governments titled Local Option Capital Asset Lending (LOCAL). The basic
premise of the program is that the state consolidates local government financing needs,
issues bonds twice a year and purchases equipment then leases the equipment to the
local government. The City has used this program recently for the purchase of fire
apparatus. It is a low cost option for the City because we get interest rates based on
the state's credit rating (Moody's Aa2) versus the City of Yakima's credit rating of A+
and share the bond issuance costs among all participants in the pooled financing. Our
completed request for financing must be submitted by June 20 for funding available in
August, or by January 10 for funding available in March. The annual debt service of
about $797,000 was calculated assuming we borrowed $4,539,900 in August 2013 at
1.5% interest, and repay it over the 6 -year estimated life of the cars starting in FY 2014.
Should Council agree to this program, the next stop will be for staff to bring a bond
ordinance authorizing all the appropriate documentation as required by the State
Treasurer at the next meeting on June 4 so that we can meet the June 20 deadline.
Proposed Assigned Police Vehicle Use Policy
To ensure the best and most appropriate use of the APV program, assigned police
vehicles will be subject to the attached policy, which includes the following key
elements.
• Assigned police vehicles can only be driven by sworn officers of the Yakima
Police Department.
• Any officer assigned a police vehicle after 1/1/14 must reside in Yakima
County and within 10 linear miles of the City. This is consistent with currently
assigned police vehicles.
• While off duty, officers will monitor the police radio.
• Members of the officer's immediate family and friends over the age of 18 may
ride with an officer while off duty. The occupants of the patrol vehicle are all
covered by the City's insurance.
• When off duty, officers must be armed and carry their police badge.
• While the police vehicle is unattended all radio, firearms, and other weapons
shall be secured and locked in a separate compartment or trunk.
• Off duty officers operating a police vehicle will ensure they are always
appropriately dressed.
• APV will not be operated after an officer has ingested any amount of alcohol
or drug that impairs their abilities.
• Assigned patrol vehicles must be parked in driveways, not garages, to ensure
maximum public visibility.
Based on the empirical results of numerous cities, and my own personal experience in
implementing an assigned police vehicle program, I strongly recommend the City
Council approve the acquisition of 74 additional marked police patrol vehicles for FY
2014 based on the benefits of increased community security, crime deterrence, and
police productivity.
Finally, I would like to thank the YPPA and its police officer members for their
willingness to defer a cost of living adjustment for the next two years to ensure the
financial contribution necessary to expand the assigned police vehicle program to all
Yakima police officers. This is the kind of unselfish and "win -win" commitment that will
ensure Yakima's future is better and safer than in the past.
City Of Yakima
Cost Analysis
May 16, 2013
Purchase Police Take Home Vehicles 2019
Number of Police Take Home Vehicles Purchased 74 4 4 4 4 4
"Price Per Vehicle (See below) 61,350 62,577 63,829 65,105 66,407 67,735
Total Purchased Vehicle Costs 4,539,900 250,308 255,314 260,420 265,629 270,941
Interest Rate 1.5%
Yearly Payment 6 Years
796,709
E 2016
2017
2018
2019
Current Capital for Cars 425,000
Total Purchased Cost for 6 Years
$4,780,254
425,000
425,000
425,000
Save 3%/year YPPA 382,350
389,997
"'Other Unit Needs (see below)
200,000
100,000
100,000
100,000
100,000
100,000
Annual Licenses /Services (Spillman, etc.) $400 per vehicle
29,600
30,192
30,796
31,412
32,040
38,448
Addtl: Insurance Costs
31,000
31,000
31,000
31,000
31,000
31,000
Addtl: Fleet Manager Position
65,000
66,300
67,626
68,979
70,358
71,765
Payment over 6 years at 1.5%
796,709
796,709
796,709
796,709
796,709
796,709
Total Expenditures (Payment, Other needs, & Replacement) 1,122,309 1,274,509 1,281,445 1,288,520 1,295,736 1,308,864
1= 7R:GTii:7�I�dRi 2014
2015M
E 2016
2017
2018
2019
Current Capital for Cars 425,000
425,000
425,000
425,000
425,000
425,000
Save 3%/year YPPA 382,350
389,997
397,797
405,753
413,868
422,145
for 2 years 2014 &15 (before Medical) 0
389,997
397,797
405,753
413,868
422,145
Total Revenue (Capital, YPPA Savings) $807,350 $1,204,994 $1,220,594 $1,236,506 $1,252,736 $1,269,291
• 2014 Results 2015 Results 2016 Results 2017 Results 2018 Results 2019 Results
"in & out" productivity savings
30 mins 4 shifts /day 8 officers 219,000 219,000 219,000 219,000 219,000 219,000
7,571,382
6,991,470
1,314,000
Visibility in the community -- Priceless
assume similar M &O and fuel costs
NET COST SAVINGS 95,959 $149,485 $158,149 $166,986 $176,000 $179,427 $734,088
- Marked Police Vehicles
Ford Sedan $32,500 (tax incl)
Ford SUV $34,500 (tax incl)
Extra needed equipments (including tax):
Coban and MDC
$12,000
Lightbar & Opticom
$3,650
Radio
$3,075
Siren
$200
Siren Controller
$875
Park Kill
$60
Graphics
$600
Grille Lights
$300 (SUV Only)
Installation
$3,000
License /Services
$2090
Other Install Equip
$2000
TOTAL VEHICLE COSTS
Sedan $60,350
SUV $62,350
- Unmarked Police Vehicles
Chev Impala (Prev. Owned) 13,000
Equipment- 2,000
Total 15,000
I. POLICY
Eligible officers participating in the program may be issued a police vehicle for on -duty and off -
duty use subject to the regulations in this directive. All take -home vehicles assigned to officers
will be defined as Assigned Police Vehicles (APV). This policy pertains to all officers assigned
police vehicles and to those temporarily assigned APVs, where applicable. Failure to properly
maintain the vehicle or comply with the regulations and procedures contained within this
directive, may result in the officer's suspension from the program, or in cases of multiple
offenses, termination of the officer's participation in the program at the discretion of the Chief.
Suspension and /or termination from the program may also occur as a result of other disciplinary
action at the discretion of the Chief. The assigning of personal patrol vehicles to members of the
department is a management prerogative. It is the policy of the department to distribute APVs in
a fair and equitable manner; however, no member is entitled to a APV. APVs may be reassigned
or replaced as part of the efficient management of the police department. Police vehicles may be
driven only by authorized members of the Yakima Police Department. Any officer assigned a
APV after 1/1/2014 must reside within 10 straight line miles of the City of Yakima.
At this time only commissioned offi
APV.
II. OBJECTIVES Of
with the rank of Lieutenant and above are authorized a
C. Improved Response Times
By using his or her vehicle for off duty purposes, the Yakima police officer is more easily
recognized by the public, thus more accessible to them and wider person -to- person
communication is achieved. Increased identification between the officer and the public will
further mutual understanding.
D. Supplement the On -Duty Police
The regular on duty force is supplemented by additional off duty officers. Thus additional "eyes,
ears, and hands" are available for handling emergency situations or for providing backups in
dangerous situations.
E. Reduced Vehicle Fleet Cost
By using a patrol vehicle for only one shift, instead of around the clock, the vehicle will last
much longer with fewer attendant repairs and service costs. With one operator, responsibility for
proper care and maintenance is clearly fixed. Other studies have demonstrated that assigned
vehicles have twice the life of a pool car (6 -7 years vs. 3 years).
limitations set forth below.
A. Officers must reside i akima unty tybible for the APV program.
IV. OFF -DUTY OPERATION OF APV
A. While using the vehicle off -duty, officers will monitor the police radio. Officers need not
advise the dispatcher when going in or out of service; however, the officer will advise the
dispatcher when responding to a call.
B. Off -duty officers will use their four digit number. Off duty officers with the rank of sergeant
or higher will use their assigned call number.
C. Members of the officer's immediate family, to include spouse, child, brother, sister, parents or
parents -in -law, grandparents, or guardians of the officer, as well as friends age 18 and over are
permitted to accompany him /her when operating his /her assigned vehicle off duty. Officers are
responsible for the behavior and appearance of the passengers.
I. Off -duty officers operating police vehicles will ensure that their dress and appearance does not
reflect unfavorably on t I department or the police profession.
J. APVs will not be operated after the officer has ingested any amount of alcohol. APVs will not
be operated after the officer has ingested any drug that impairs his ability to operate the vehicle.
No alcoholic beverages will be carried in the APV except when they are seized as evidence or
contraband.
V. OFF -DUTY ENFORCEMENT
A. Off -duty officers are not expected to be enforcers of traffic violations. However, they may not
ignore flagrant traffic law violations.
B. Traffic accidents encountered by off -duty officers in a APV will be handled by an on duty
officer. Off duty officers driving APV's are expected to stop and render aid and to control traffic,
if necessary, until relieved by on duty officers.
A. Performance and appearance of a vehicle and any equipmerin it is the responsibility of the
officer to whom it is assigned. Officers assigned APVs are responsible for scheduling
preventative maintenance every 3,000 miles. Any problems which occur in scheduling of
maintenance or repairs should be reported to the Fleet Coordinator. If a preventative maintenance
late notice is issued for a vehicle, the individual responsible for the vehicle and his /her supervisor
will be notified in writing by the Fleet Coordinator. Further violations will be referred to the
division commander for remedial action.
B. Patrol officers and sergeants will schedule the routine service and maintenance of their APVs
to be done while they are off duty. Officers and sergeants will fuel their assigned vehicles during
their tours of duty, after reporting for work, and will use their discretion concerning the fueling
of APVs on scheduled days off. Officers will not be compensated for off duty vehicle
maintenance activities.
C. When requesting repairs from an authorized maintenance vendor, officers must complete the
"Vehicle Repair Request Form" and deliver it to the shop foreman. Individual officers are not
required to keep a service record on their assigned vehicles. They may obtain information or
copies of documents from the Fleet Coordinator. Officers will not make, or have made, any
unauthorized adjustments or repairs except as may be necessary to get the vehicle to the
maintenance facility for further repairs. Officers are not permitted to alter or customize their
vehicle or vehicle equipment.
D. Officers will keep the interior of their vehicle clean and will wash the exterior at least once a
week, weather permitting. The City provides a contract automatic car wash facility and high
volume vacuum cleaners are available at City and police facilities. Officers will keep their
assigned vehicle stocked with equipment per policy. Hording of supplies is prohibited.
VII. APV & SECONDARY EMPLOYMENT
Off duty officers may use APV's at authorized off duty assignments.
Tony Patlan
Yakima Police Patrolmen's Association
President
May 15, 2013
City of Yakima
129 North �nd Street
Yakima, WA 98901
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over whelming in favor of the proposal.
Tony Patlan