DEPARTMENT: Police
DEPARTMENT HEAD: William P. McManus, Chief of Police
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: City Wide
SUBJECT:
An ordinance authorizing the submission of a grant application, and acceptance of funds upon award, not to exceed $3,125,000, from the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ).
SUMMARY:
An ordinance authorizing the submission of a grant application and acceptance of funds upon award, not to exceed $3,125,000, from the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS), for a Hiring Program grant, and authorizing a General Fund contribution of $7,878,700 establishing a budget and a personnel complement for the period October 2016 through September 2019.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
The COPS Hiring Program (CHP) is funded by the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS), and funds salary and benefits approved by the COPS Office expenses over a three (3) year grant period. Under the updated CHP there is a maximum of $125,000 per officer over the 3 year period. There is a minimum 25% cash match required.
COPS have indicated that notice of funding award will go out on or about September 2016. Funds can begin to be expended as soon as notification is received. Part of the grant agreement is that the Department will retain officers hired under the grant for a minimum of 12 months after funding has ended.
This project will add up to 25 new police officer positions to the Department. Officers will be assigned to the Department’s Integrated Mobile Partners Action Care Team (IMPACT). IMPACT is a multi-disciplinary approach to high-utilizers of emergency services, especially the chronically homeless. The team currently consists of two mental health officers and a mobile integrated healthcare paramedic. It is a decriminalization program for mentally ill and substance dependent consumers. The team focuses on continuity of care for the most at-risk for negative law enforcement contact through treatment and diversion processes. The last COPS hiring grant award was in 2015 for 4 officers in which the City was awarded $500,000.
The grant funds do not pay for equipment, overtime, and in the case of this Department, retiree's prepaid health insurance, and leave buyback.
The grant period is estimated to begin in or around October 1, 2016 and run for a 3 year period ending around September 30, 2019. The actual award start date will be specified in the award letter if the City of San Antonio is awarded the grant.
Matching funds will submitted as part of the FY2017 Budget Process and acceptance of the grant will be contingent upon approval of the $7,787,000 grant match.
ISSUE:
The proposed ordinance continues the City Council's policy of applying for financial assistance from outside sources for law enforcement programs addressing criminal activity in the community, and it continues the enhancement of community policing.
ALTERNATIVES:
Other than the General Fund, there is no alternative funding source. City Council may choose not to accept this grant. However, choosing not to approve this grant will result in the City losing up to $3,125,000 for addressing community oriented policing activities.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The estimated cost for this grant is $11,003,700 of which the City will contribute $7,878,700 from the Police Operating Budget for the period beginning October 1, 2016 to September 30, 2019 contingent upon budget approval. Of the $7,878,700, the estimated cost for FY 2017 is $1,038,221, $1,628,030 for FY 2018, $2,145,213 for FY 2019, and $3,066,237 for FY 2020.
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends that the City Council approve the submission, and if awarded the acceptance, of the U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Community Oriented Policing Services Hiring Grant.