Creation of a Precision Policing CenterCopyrighted
October 21, 2024
City of Dubuque
City Council
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ITEM TITLE: Creation of a Precision Policing Center
SUMMARY: City Manager recommending City Council approval to
establish a Precision Policing Center (PPC) which aims to
enhance the operational efficiency and effectiveness of the
Dubuque Police Department.
SUGGUESTED Receive and File; Approve
DISPOSITION:
ATTACHMENTS:
1. MVM Memo
2. Creation of a Precision Policing Center 101724
3. PPC Presentation_Uploaded 10.21.24
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THE C
DUjIBQTE
Masterpiece on the Mississippi
TO: The Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
FROM: Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager
SUBJECT: Creation of a Precision Policing Center
DATE: October 17, 2024
Dubuque
AIFAWca Ciq
ni
I
2007-2012.2013
2017*2019
Chief of Police Jeremy Jensen is recommending City Council approval to establish a
Precision Policing Center (PPC) which aims to enhance the operational efficiency and
effectiveness of the Dubuque Police Department. By leveraging advanced technology
and real-time data analysis, the PPC will serve as a critical force multiplier, enabling
rapid response, informed decision -making, and proactive crime prevention.
I concur with the recommendation and respectfully request Mayor and City Council
approval.
Mic ael C. Van Milligen
MCVM:sv
Attachment
cc: Crenna Brumwell, City Attorney
Cori Burbach, Assistant City Manager
Jeremy Jensen, Chief of Police
Jason Lehman, Assistant City Attorney
Shelley Stickfort, Chief Human Resources Officer
Anderson Sainci, Director Office of Shared Prosperity and Neighborhood Support
Arielle Swift, Public Works Director
Chris Kohlmann, Chief Information Officer
Jessica George-Rethwisch, Emergency Communications Director
Amy Scheller, Fire Chief
Gus Psihoyos, City Engineer
Randy Gehl, Public Information Officer
Nikki Rosemeyer, GIS Coordinator/Analyst
Dave Ness, Civil Engineer II
Braden Daniels, Data Analyst
Nusrat Nawshin, Data Scientist
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Masterpiece on the Mississippi
Dubuque
AIl•Amerlo City
NAM �ti �AGLL
2007*2012.2013
2017*2019
TO: Mike Van Milligen, City Manager
FROM: Jeremy Jensen, Chief of Police
SUBJECT: Creation of a Precision Policing Center
DATE: October 17, 2024
INTRODUCTION
The purpose of this memo is to recommend the establishment of a Precision Policing
Center (PPC) aims to enhance the operational efficiency and effectiveness of the
Dubuque Police Department. By leveraging advanced technology and real-time data
analysis, the PPC will serve as a critical force multiplier, enabling rapid response,
informed decision -making, and proactive crime prevention.
DISCUSSION
Objectives of the PPC
• Improve Response Times: By providing officers with real-time information, the
PPC will enable faster and more informed officer response to incidents.
• Enhance Situational Awareness: The PPC will consolidate and analyze data from
various sources, giving officers and command staff a comprehensive view of
ongoing incidents. Thus, allowing for pinpoint policing, not based in anecdotal
information but in real time data.
• Proactive Crime Prevention: By identifying patterns and trends, the PPC will help
in anticipating and preventing criminal activities before they occur.
• Support Investigations: The PPC will assist in gathering and analyzing evidence,
evaluating ongoing crime trends, thereby supporting ongoing investigations.
• Force Multiplier: The PPC allows for more efficient and effective use of sworn
officers and limiting the logistics of travel time to retrieve information from the
camera system.
• Enhanced Officer Safety: By providing real-time intelligence and situational
awareness, the PPC will significantly improve officer safety during operations,
enabling them to be better prepared for potential threats.
• Increased Efficiency: The PPC allows for the centralization of information,
reducing the time officers spend on gathering data and allowing them to focus on
active policing. This will enhance the overall efficiency of the force.
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• Proactive Policing: With the ability to identify trends and predict criminal activity,
the PPC will shift the focus from reactive to proactive policing, reducing crime
rates and improving public safety.
• Improved Resource Allocation: By analyzing crime patterns and identifying
hotspots, the PPC will help in the strategic deployment of officers and resources,
ensuring that they are used where they are needed most.
• Enhanced Public Trust: The PPC will enable more transparent and accountable
policing, with data -driven decisions that can be communicated to the public. This
will help in building and maintaining public trust.
• Support for Investigations: The PPC will provide critical support for investigations,
helping to gather and analyze evidence quickly and efficiently, leading to higher
case closure rates.
For the past several years, police departments, including the Dubuque Police
Department have experienced recruitment and retention issues. While the Dubuque
Police Department has maintained a high level of public safety and call for service
response. However, certain areas of proactive policing have suffered because of
staffing shortages. The Dubuque Police Department is currently down 20 sworn officers,
from the sworn officer strength of 115. It should be noted that the Dubuque Police
Department has never been above 108 sworn officers (2019/2020).
Each year, the Senior Management Team of the Dubuque Police Department creates a
strategic plan. The past two years this plan has included "Leveraging Technology" to
offset staffing shortages and to make the PD more efficient and effective. The public
safety/traffic cameras have been an incredible gift and tool that allows officers to
efficiently and effectively conduct investigations. A tool the public of Dubuque expects
and reaps the benefits of. In FY24 the Council approved the purchase and use of
Automated License Plate Readers (ALPR), which are a compliment to the current
camera system, using 24/7 automation. These have become fully operational within the
last month and are already proving to be a very effective tool for officers.
However, these tools are not being used to their full potential and effectiveness.
Officers generally use the cameras, not as crime is happening, but instead as a
reactionary/follow-up tool. It should be noted that officers and dispatchers may "jump"
on the cameras when a crime is happening, if they have time or already using the
system.
Additionally, the Dubuque Police Department drone program can be utilized out of the
PPC, using the drone as a first responder. This allows a drone to be utilized to "put
eyes" on a situation, thus allowing for a more efficient use of staff, staff and public
safety, and effective response by having better and real time information. Currently, the
Police Department is expanding the software capability of the drones to have live
stream video capability, better data capture, and allow for an expanded response
radius. The expanded response radius also requires additional certification and
licensing from the FAA.
The PPC is simply a force multiplier that benefits all officers in all divisions. Adding
FTE's in addition to staffing numbers that cannot be filled in a short period of time, is not
feasible at this time. To remedy this, I am proposing changing three (3) sworn positions
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to staff three (3) non -sworn "civilian" PPC Technicians; one (1) sworn position to fully
fund one (1) non -sworn "civilian" Computer Forensics position and one (1) sworn
position to fully fund one (1) non -sworn "civilian" Crime Analyst. The benefit of "civilian"
non -sworn positions is that non -sworn positions can be very specialized, do not need an
extensive field training program, is suited to on-the-job training and does not have the
state mandated academy requirements. Additionally, replacement for these positions
will not take the 9-12 months that it takes to fully replace one sworn position, due to all
the training needed before an officer can work solo patrol. These positions will
organizationally fall under the Police Department Administration Captain and will be
supervised using the existing command structure of the Police Department.
Additionally, I am recommending taking one (1) sworn position and the funding for that
position and reallocating that funding to the software integration needed to fully support
the PPC.
This is a total reallocation of six (6) positions.
The proposed positions are as follows:
1. Precision Policing Center Technicians (3 Positions)
The job description for this is:
• Data Monitoring and Analysis: Monitor live feeds from CCTV cameras, license
plate readers, and other surveillance systems. Analyze incoming data for any
signs of criminal activity or emerging threats.
• Communication: Serve as a communication hub between field officers and the
PPC, relaying real-time information and updates during ongoing incidents.
• Technology Management: Operate and troubleshoot PPC systems, ensuring all
equipment is functioning correctly. This includes maintaining databases, ensuring
data integrity, and managing software updates.
• Incident Documentation: Maintain detailed logs of incidents, including the actions
taken and the data reviewed, to support after -action reviews and legal
proceedings.
• Collaboration: Work closely with the Criminal Analyst and other law enforcement
personnel to ensure that all relevant data is shared and acted upon.
• Internal/External Partnerships: Coordinate activities with the City traffic and
security camera system and develop partnerships to access outside systems like
the Dubuque Community School District, private residence and business
cameras.
The City of Dubuque Human Resources Department has valuated these positions and
has determined that this position would fall in the G-28A of the General Employee Wage
Plan. The range would be $24.33 per hour to $31.84 per hour.
2. Crime Analyst (1 position)
The job description for this is:
3
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• Data Analysis and Pattern Recognition: Analyze crime data to identify trends,
patterns, and potential hotspots. Use statistical and geographic analysis tools to
support decision -making.
• Intelligence Gathering: Gather, evaluate, and analyze intelligence from various
sources, including public tips, social media, and law enforcement databases, to
support ongoing investigations and proactive crime prevention.
• Reporting: Prepare and present reports on crime trends, threats, and the
effectiveness of interventions. Provide actionable intelligence to command staff
and field officers.
• Collaboration: Work closely with all members of the police department, PPC
Technicians, and other stakeholders to ensure that analytical insights are
integrated into daily operations.
• Training and Development: Assist in training PPC Technicians and other
personnel on data analysis tools and methodologies.
• Internal/External Partnerships: Work with the Data Analyst in the Office of
Shared Prosperity, the Data Scientist in Public Works, and the GIS division.
The City of Dubuque Human Resources Department has valuated these positions and
has determined that this position would fall in the G-30A of the General Employee Wage
Plan. The range would be $27.12 per hour to $35.44 per hour.
The Dubuque Police Department has received a scholarship from the Crime Analyst in
Residence (CAR) program which provides free training, support and technical
assistance in building a crime analyst position and program. Staff from the CAR have
already started connecting data to help the Police Department custom build an analytics
program free of charge.
3. Criminal Computer Forensics (1 position)
The job description for this is:
The City of Dubuque Human Resources Department has valuated these positions and
has determined that this position would fall in the G-35A of the General Employee Wage
Plan. The range would be $35.44 per hour to $46.28 per hour.
In early 2024, the Police Department and the City of Dubuque Information Technology
Department met to identify future technology needs in the public safety sector. One
area that was identified was computer forensics. The Police Department has
traditionally relied on other agencies to conduct computer forensics. Because of the
high demand for computer forensic assistance, other agencies were unable to conduct
computer forensics in less than one year. An opportunity arose to allow a University of
Dubuque computer forensics student to intern with the Police Department. Both IT and
the Police Department almost immediately saw the benefits of this position as to
maintaining high quality equipment, staying on top of technology changes, but also to
the efficiency and effectiveness of having our own internal person.
4. Software and Hardware Impact (1 position)
The PPC is best serving when all the current software and hardware interact together,
i.e. "talk". Our current and soon to be new RMS/JMS/CAD system is from a single
vendor thus is integrated together. However, this data is not integrated in the camera
4
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system. We currently have no capability to link authorized private security camera
footage without a manual download of a system.
Software and programs currently exist that can tie many technologies together. This
includes most of our software programs, camera systems, and private camera systems
(with permission). Additionally, technology can add "live" body worn camera viewing
which allows the PPC and supervisors to view officers body worn camera's in real time,
thus creating a safer environment and allowing for more efficient and detailed
collaboration, as well as a more informed response.
The current cost of one sworn police officer on an annual base is $73,861 with wages
and benefits. This is if the officer is at the bottom step of the wage plan. If the officer is
at the top step of the wage plan, this increases to $91,950.
To add software such as total system integration which ties software together, private
camera option (generally this cost is incurred by the individual or business requesting
it), live feed body worn cameras, automated license plate readers to the in -car camera
system will cost approximately $220,000 per annual subscription with a five (5) year
contract.
Traditional hiring methods for sworn officers has been hindered by a number of factors
to include low application numbers, State of Iowa requirements, such as civil service,
testing requirements, and length of training to be "certified" in the State of Iowa. The
Dubuque Police Department is authorized 115 sworn officers, but we have never been
above 108 officers. I am requesting lowering this number to 109 sworn officers and
supplementing the other six (6) as non -sworn, technical positions that leverage
technology to become force multipliers. Once the sworn staff numbers reach 109, the
number of sworn officers will be re-evaluated.
The Dubuque Police Department is currently remodeling a room that was used as a
computer technology room at the DLEC to house the PPC. This space will include
three technician workspaces and a workspace for the analyst. The computer forensics
position will work in the criminal investigation's workspace. The renovation and
workspace do not require any additional funding.
BUDGET IMPACT
There is no increased budget impact for the creation of five (5) sworn civilian positions
with the elimination of five (5) sworn positions. The pay differential is outlined in the
following graph. Total savings by transitioning from sworn to non -sworn is $20.65 per
hour to $12.31 per hour which is the difference between bottom step and top step.
5
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Position
Pay Grade $ per hr minimum $ per hr maximum
Patrol Officer
P-01
31.24
37.91
PPC Technician
G-28A
24.33
31.84
Total Cost Diff.
6.91
6.07
Total Cost Diff. 3 positions
20.73
18.21
Patrol Officer
P-01
31.24
37.91
Crime Analyst
G-30A
27.12
35.44
Total Cost Diff.
4.12
2.47
Patrol Officer
P-01
31.24
37.91
Computer Forensics
G-35A
35.44
46.28
Total Cost Diff.
4.2
8.37
Total Cost Savings Per Hr
20.65
12.31
In the current fiscal year, it is projected these positions would be filled by January 2025.
The FY25 full year savings from the eliminated sworn police officer positions is
approximately $450,000. The six (6) month FY25 expense for the new non -sworn
civilian positions is approximately $175,000 and the six (6) month expense for the
software contracts is estimated at $110,000, for a total six (6) month FY25 expense for
the PPC of $285,000. The $165,000 in FY25 savings will be carried into FY26 to assist
with the FY26 cost. The FY26 savings from the elimination of the six (6) positions is
again estimated at $450,000 for the full year.
The FY26 expenses will be for a full year instead of the six (6) months in FY25. The
FY26 expenses are estimated at $570,000. The recurring $165,000 savings in FY25
will make up for the cost gap in FY26 of $120,000 ($570,000 minus $450,000).
Beginning in FY27, the general fund city budget will begin to need to provide for that
funding gap.
CONCLUSION
The establishment of a Precision Policing Center will significantly enhance our law
enforcement capabilities, by acting as a force multiplier. By leveraging technology and
data, the PPC will act as a force multiplier, improving response times, enhancing officer
safety, and enabling proactive policing strategies. The proposed staffing of three PPC
Technicians, a Criminal Analyst, a Criminal Computer Forensics person, and obtaining
the hardware and software to set these positions up for success, will ensure that the
center is fully equipped to meet the demands of modern policing.
cc Crenna Brumwell
Jason Lehman
Cori Burbach
Shelley Stickfort
Anderson Sainci
Arielle Swift
C.
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Chris Kohlmann
Jessica George-Rethwisch
Amy Scheller
Gus Psihoyos
Randy Gehl
Nikki Rosemeyer
Dave Ness
Braden Daniels
Nusrat Nawshin
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Police
Department
Staffing
Dubuque City Council Top 10 Priority
SWORN
OFFICEP
STAFFING
HINDERANCES TO HIRING
Page 1680 of 1713
115
108
109
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DUBUQUE POLICE
DEPABTMENT
STBATEGICPLAN
FORCE MULTIPLIERS
• Non -Sworn "Civilian Staff"
• Leveraging Technology
Page 1682 of 1713
X
PBECISION POLICING
CENTEB (PPC)
• A PPC is a centralized hub that integrates technology, data, and live
intelligence to support public safety operations in real-time. The PPC
r uses the public safety cameras, private cameras (with permission),
automated license plate readers, drones, data analytics and integrated
software to monitor activities and respond rapidly to ongoing incidents
or emerging threats
Page 1683 of 1713
WLIY A PPC?
• Increased Efficiency
• Enhance Situational Awareness
• Proactive Crime Prevention
• Improve Response Times
• Enhanced Officer Safety
• Proactive Policing
• Improved Resource Allocation
}
• Enhanced Public Trust
• Investigative Support
.a4•
41-
N
NON-S WOBN "CIVILIANS" - BENEFITSICONS
BENEFITS:
• Expert in one thing
• Does not have the same hiring parameters as
required for sworn officers by the State of Iowa
(physical ability, hearing, eye sight, written testing
and physical agility testing.
• Does not have the extensive academy training
and Field Training Program
CONS:
Will not be a physical body "on the street" in uniform and in
a car.
Page 1685 of 1713
PBECISION POLICING
CENTEB TECTINICIANS
3 positions that will cover our busiest hours (generally afternoons
and evenings until the bars close.
• Data Monitoring and Analysis
• Communication
• Technology Management
• Incident Documentation
• Collaboration
0 Internal/External Partnerships
L,
Eli
10
CRI_IIEANALYST
1 position
-Data Analysis and Pattern Recognition
-Intelligence Gathering
-Reporting
-Collaboration
-Training and Development
-Internal/External Partnerships.
*** Currently the DPD has a Crime Analyst Intern. This position
would be in addition to that.
10
1 RLMT\9L COMPUTEB
FOBENSICS
1 position that will report operational to the PD, but the technical
side will be under the umbrella of the IT department.
Be able to process computer forensics (phones and computers)
within the DPD, thus saving time and providing for a quicker
victim/case response.
Until recently we had a Computer Forensics Intern in conjunction
with the IT department and found it to have a great benefit.
50
r
10
SOFTWABE AND
HABDWABE
Using the funding for one position to implement the best software
and hardware possible. P&
Ties computer software together so it can "talk".
Collaboration between public and private camera systems to
provide a community approach to safety.
Data, Data, Data: An informed officer makes better decisions, is
more accurate, and ultimately more efficient.
50
r
10
TI-IA NK YO U
ll
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