Legislative Matter

Miami-Dade Legislative Item
File Number: 151210

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Clerk's Official Copy

File Number: 151210

File Type: Resolution

Status: Adopted

Version: 0

Reference: R-503-15

Control: Board of County Commissioners

File Name: ADJUST THE POLICE DEPARTMENTS LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER STAFF

Introduced: 5/21/2015

Requester: NONE

Cost:

Final Action: 6/2/2015

Agenda Date: 6/2/2015

Agenda Item Number: 11A7

Notes:

Title:

RESOLUTION DIRECTING THE MAYOR OR THE MAYOR’S DESIGNEE TO PREPARE AND SUBMIT A REPORT RECOMMENDING ALTERNATIVES TO ADJUST THE MIAMI-DADE POLICE DEPARTMENT’S LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER AND PERSONNEL STAFFING NUMBERS TO MATCH CURRENT NATIONAL AVERAGES AND STAFFING LEVELS [SEE ORIGINAL ITEM UNDER FILE NO. 150997]

Indexes:	POLICE
	STAFF

Sponsors:	Jose "Pepe" Diaz, Prime Sponsor
	Audrey M. Edmonson, Co-Sponsor
	Sally A. Heyman, Co-Sponsor
	Rebeca Sosa, Co-Sponsor
	Sen. Javier D. Souto, Co-Sponsor

Sunset Provision: No

Effective Date:

Expiration Date:

Registered Lobbyist:

None Listed

Legislative History
Acting Body	Date	Agenda Item	Action	Sent To	Due Date	Returned	Pass/Fail

Board of County Commissioners	6/2/2015	11A7	Adopted				P

County Attorney	5/21/2015		Assigned	Javier Zapata	5/22/2015

Metropolitan Services Committee	5/13/2015	2B Amended	Forwarded to BCC with a favorable recommendation with committee amendment(s)				P
REPORT:	Assistant County Attorney Gerald Sanchez read the title of the foregoing proposed resolution into the record. It was moved by Commissioner Diaz that the foregoing proposed resolution be forwarded to the County Commission with a favorable recommendation. This motion was seconded by Commissioner Edmonson, followed by discussion. Commissioner Diaz pointed out that the number of police officers was decreasing because so many of them were retiring; yet, the number of residents was increasing. He noted the Federal Bureau of Investigations’ (FBI) guidelines recommended a certain ratio of police officers to citizens within a community. He stressed the importance of safety for this community and requested that the FBI guidelines be followed in the County. Mr. John Rivera, President, Dade County Police Benevolent Association (PBA), Inc., distributed a newspaper article which indicated that the killing of police officers rose by 89 percent last year. He noted although the article referred to the situation in New York, a similar state of affairs existed in Miami. Mr. Rivera stated that the safety of this community was paramount. Mr. JD Patterson, Director, Miami-Dade Police Department (MDPD), said that he was concerned about the staffing levels required to serve this community, and the MDPD worked closely with the Office of Management and Budget to ensure that funding was available to hire the appropriate number of police officers. Ms. Jennifer Moon, Director, Office of Management and Budget, expressed her appreciation to the County Commission members for their support of the Police Department. She said that the Administration was hoping that the budget would provide sufficient funding to hire the maximum number of police officers as well as the necessary support staff. Ms. Moon noted two additional classes were anticipated this fiscal year, and four more next fiscal year. She stated that the MDPD had already begun recruiting for another class this fiscal year; however, the number of police officers that could be hired in a year was limited. Commissioner Diaz emphasized the importance of hiring the right people, and of having the correct infrastructure in order for the MDPD to maintain law and order in this community. Commissioner Heyman said that she was excited about this item; however, she expressed her concerns regarding increasing the staffing levels to their Fiscal Year (FY) 2000-2001 level. She suggested a friendly amendment that would require an increase in all staffing levels within the MDPD to match current national averages. She suggested that a report be submitted recommending alternatives to adjust MDPD’s law enforcement staffing numbers to match current national averages and staffing levels. Commissioner Diaz noted he accepted the proposed amendment, with a change to read: “law enforcement officers and personnel staffing numbers.” Commissioner Edmonson said she had a similar concern, and she agreed with the proposed amendment. Chairwoman Jordan noted it would appear based on the FBI’s average that 1000 employees would be needed. Mr. Patterson stated that the MDPD would conduct the study and advise the County Commission as to the appropriate number of new employees that would be needed. In response to Chairwoman Jordan’s question regarding the source of the funding for police officers, Ms. Moon indicated that it was the General Fund. Commissioner Diaz noted the report would recommend alternative sources of funding. Responding to Chairwoman Jordan’s question as to whether the training and background checks would be included in the report, Mr. Patterson confirmed that they would. Pursuant to Commissioner Zapata’s question regarding the distribution of the MDPD budget between the Unincorporated Municipal Services Areas (UMSA) and the rest of the County, Ms. Moon clarified that it was approximately 60 percent for UMSA, and 40 percent for the rest of the County. She said that as countywide resources became increasingly constrained, countywide functions would be redistributed to UMSA. Ms. Moon stated that undoubtedly the loss of police officers had been more prevalent in the UMSA areas. In response to Commissioner Zapata’s question as to whether the item addressed the number of supervisory positions, Commissioner Diaz said that the MDPD would determine if more supervisory positions were needed. Commissioner Zapata noted he was not in favor of hiring more lieutenants, captains, and majors because he believed that lower-ranking officers were needed to patrol the streets. Mr. Patterson indicated that the MDPD was constantly evaluating and adjusting its staffing levels. He said that between 60 and 70 percent of the department was comprised of officers providing direct services to the residents. Commissioner Zapata stressed that he wanted to ensure that the resources would be allocated towards having police officers patrolling the streets. Referring to indirect costs associated with training and supporting police officers, he asked how MDPD compared to other communities. Commissioner Diaz emphasized the importance of the FBI standards. He stated that the County had to place a freeze on the recruitment of police officers due to the recession, and he indicated that this item was seeking to increase the number of officers to current standards. Commissioner Zapata suggested that the report analyze how Miami-Dade compared to other communities with respect to the amount of resources allocated to the training of police officers. Commissioner Souto quoted Ms. Moon who stated that undoubtedly the loss of police officers had been more prevalent in the UMSA areas, which represented approximately half of Miami-Dade. He pointed out that these areas were becoming wealthier; that an increase in crime would affect tourism; and that it was necessary for more officers to patrol UMSA. Commissioners Edmonson, Souto and Heyman requested to be listed as co-sponsors to the foregoing proposed resolution. Responding to Chairwoman Jordan’s question regarding whether the report would include recommendations based on the numbers of police officers needed to patrol high crime areas, Ms. Moon pointed out the difference between sheriff’s functions and local patrols functions, and said that a sufficient number of police officers was required to carry out both sets of functions. She pointed out that the hiring would be carried out in phases, and a policy decision would be required with regard to the deployment of officers. Ms. Moon noted ultimately, this would be affected by the Board’s policy decisions regarding annexations and incorporations. Hearing no further questions or comments, the Committee proceeded to vote on the foregoing proposed resolution, as amended. Following the discussion of Agenda Item 2H, it was moved by Commissioner Diaz that the foregoing proposed resolution be reconsidered. This motion was seconded by Commissioner Edmonson, and upon being put to a vote, passed by a vote of 5-0 (Commissioner Zapata was absent). Commissioner Diaz requested that the item be amended to mandate that diversity be required for all new classes of police officers. Hearing no further questions or comments, the Committee proceeded to vote on the foregoing proposed resolution, as amended. The foregoing proposed resolution was forwarded to the Board of County Commissioners with a favorable recommendation, with Committee amendments requesting that a report be submitted by Deputy Mayor Jack Osterholt along with the appropriate departmental staff recommending alternatives to adjust the Miami-Dade Police Department's law enforcement officers and personnel staffing numbers to match current national averages and staffing levels; and to ensure that incoming police classes are diverse.

Legislative Text

TITLE
RESOLUTION DIRECTING THE MAYOR OR THE MAYOR�S DESIGNEE TO PREPARE AND SUBMIT A REPORT RECOMMENDING ALTERNATIVES TO ADJUST THE MIAMI-DADE POLICE DEPARTMENT�S LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER AND PERSONNEL STAFFING NUMBERS TO MATCH CURRENT NATIONAL AVERAGES AND STAFFING LEVELS

BODY
WHEREAS, the Federal Bureau of Investigation�s (�FBI�) Criminal Justice Information Services Division publishes an annual �Crime in the United States� report which details the number of full-time law enforcement officers per 1,000 inhabitants across the United States; and
WHEREAS, according to the FBI�s 2013 report, the average number of full-time law enforcement officers nationwide per 1,000 inhabitants for County police agencies is 2.7 and the average number of full-time law enforcement officers per 1,000 inhabitants in similarly populated areas as the County within the South Atlantic region is 3.1; and
WHEREAS, the ratio of Miami-Dade County Police (�MDPD�) officers per 1,000 inhabitants in the unincorporated areas they serve is just 2.4; and
WHEREAS, to match the FBI�s reported average of law enforcement officers per 1,000 inhabitants among County agencies, MDPD would need to fill an additional 600 to 800 officer positions; and
WHEREAS, while the overall Miami-Dade County population has increased by 16 percent since 2000-2001, the number of budgeted sworn police officer positions has declined by 10 percent from 3,188 to just 2,864 during the same time period; and
WHEREAS, MDPD is required by Florida Statutes, Chapter 30, to provide additional Sheriff services to all County and municipal areas, which include the execution of writs, service of warrants, court security functions, and maintaining the peace; and
WHEREAS, MDPD provides officers by contract to three municipalities and also staffs its officers to Miami International Airport and the Miami-Dade County Seaport; and
WHEREAS, MDPD officers also provide crime laboratory analysis, emergency communications, and over 20 specialized services to all 2.6 million County residents, including investigations of: robbery, sexual crimes, domestic crimes, homicides, narcotics investigations, economic and environmental crimes, crime scene investigations, tactical operations, and criminal intelligence; and
WHEREAS, MDPD further provides additional investigative and support entities that offer services to the entire County including the Public Corruption and Criminal Conspiracy Unit, the Miami-Dade Public Safety Training Institute, and the Homeland Security Bureau; and
WHEREAS, MDPD provides a multitude of community services for County residents, protecting our streets, families, and ensuring that the County remains a safe and secure environment; and
WHEREAS, increasing the number of law enforcement officers >>and personnel<< to match >>current<< national averages >>and<< or staffing levels [[from fiscal year 2000-01]] will allow MDPD to greater serve our community; and1
WHEREAS, in light of the ever-growing County population, this Board is committed to finding methods to staff the MDPD at appropriate levels and allow for the MDPD to efficiently carry out its responsibilities,
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, FLORIDA, that the Mayor or the Mayor�s designee is directed to prepare and submit a report which shall include recommended alternatives to adjust the MDPD�s law enforcement officer >>and personnel<< staffing numbers to match >>current<< national averages >>and<< [[or]] staffing levels [[from fiscal year 2000 01.]] The review should evaluate the current responsibilities of the MDPD�s law enforcement officers with respect to their Sheriff�s duties, special investigatory duties, contract municipality obligations, and how such duties may affect the MDPD�s ability to fulfill its responsibilities to County residents. The Mayor or the Mayor�s designee is further charged with examining the impact of an increase in countywide population with a decrease in the number of budgeted sworn officers>>,<< [[and]] evaluat >>ing<< [e] whether a decrease in the number of law enforcement officers negatively impacts the ability of the MDPD�s officers to efficiently carry out their job functions >>, and ensuring that incoming law enforcement officer recruiting classes are diverse.<< The Mayor or Mayor�s designee shall provide the report to the Board no later than 60 days from the effective date of this resolution and shall place a completed report on an agenda of the Board pursuant to Ordinance No. 14-65.

1 Committee amendments are indicated as follows: Words stricken through and/or [[double bracketed]] are deleted, words underscored and/or >>double arrowed<< are added.