Police Dept AccreditationMEMORANDUM
September 8, 2003
TO:
FROM:
SUBJECT:
The Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager
Police Department Accreditation - Reaccreditation 2004
Accreditation is a voluntary program of national standards established through the
Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies. The Dubuque Police
Department has participated in accreditation for the past 12 years. Currently the
department is accredited, with raaccreditation to occur in 2004. During the recent
budget concems, the Police Department, along with other City departments, was asked
to recommend cost reductions to address the budget shortfalls. Included within those
reductions was the elimination of a staff position primarily dedicated to accreditation,
along with two line items dedicated to the process and associated costs. During the
budget process, the accreditation staff position was reinstated, along with $4,165 for
related costs for the accreditation process.
Police Chief Klm Wadding recommends City Council approval to use the reinstated
$4,165 for the accreditation process and to continue voluntary participation with the
Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies ~n pursuit of
reaccreditation in 2004.
I concur with the recommendation and respectfully request Mayor and City Council
approval.
Micfiael C. Van Milligen ~
MCVM/jh
Attachment
cc: Barry Lindahl, Corporation Counsel
Cindy Steinhauser, Assistant City Manager
Klm B. Wadding, Police Chief
MEMORANDUM
Date: August20,2003
To: Michael C. Van Milligen
City Manager
From: Klm B. Wadding ~q/'"~
Police Chief
Re: Police Department Accreditation - Reaccreditation 2004
INTRODUCTION:
The purpose of this memorandum is to request continuation of the accreditation process
through the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies. Inc (CALEA)
by continuing staff dedication and the use of $4.165 of reinstated budget monies to the
accreditation process.
BACKGROUND:
Accreditation is a voluntary program of national standards established through the
Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement agencies. The Commission on
Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, Inc (CALEA) was established as an
independent accrediting authority in 1979 by the four major law enforcement
membership associations: International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP); National
Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives (NOBLE); National Sheriff's
Association (NSA); and Police Executive Research Forum (PERF). The Executive
Directors of these four associations appoint members to the Commission annually.
The Dubuque Police Department has participated in accreditation for the past 12 years.
Currently the department is accredited with reaccreditation to occur in 2004. During the
recent budget concerns, the police department, along with other city departments was
asked to recommend cost reductions to address the budget shortfalls. Initially, the
police department offered prioritized reductions in the amount of $791.385. Included
within those reductions was the elimination of a staff position primarily dedicated to
accreditation along with two line items dedicated to the process and associated costs.
DISCUSSION:
Although budget losses for the police department did occur, the losses were
significantly less than originally thought. Part of the budget reductions included several
line items that were combined totaling $81.736. Those line items included overtime
payments for traffic safety projects ($31,577), overtime payments for domestic violence
investigations ($9,459), the elimination of a marked patrol unit and associated lights
($24,200) and two line items concerning accreditation ($4,000 and $12,500). The
accreditation line items represent ongoing costs of accreditation including an annual
accreditation payment, accreditation hearing costs for staff travel and lodging, and costs
associated with manual preparation, printing and distribution.
As the budget process unfolded, many of the budget reduction recommendations were
reinstated including $4,165 to the above line items. Although full funding was not
restored, two of the above line items have received some grant funding lessening the
impact to those areas. Those areas are traffic safety $14,500 and domestic violence
$3,500. With these amounts available, it is our hope to dedicate the reinstated $4.165
to the accreditation process. Accreditation remains a critical element in the pursuit of a
professional police department; accreditation serves the department well as we strived
for professional excellence in meeting and exceeding mandatory standards in
professional law enforcement. The reinstated dollars alfows payment for our third and
final installment for the three-year accreditation cycle.
Additionally, we are exploring internal adjustments in the accreditation process limiting
the production of printed manuals replacing with corn puter disks, limiting personnel
attendance to the reaccreditation hearing, and restricting reproduction costs and
associated expenses. Through these efforts we provide adequate funding to continue to
participate in the accreditation/reaccreditation process. Our tentative accreditation
schedule begins with a mock on-site in late January/early February 2005, the CALEA
on-site assessment April 2005 and, if successful, the reaccreditation hearing July 2005.
RECOMMENDATION:
With the reinstatement of the accreditation staff position and the return of $4 165 for
related costs, we recommend continuation of the accreditation process.
ACTION REQUESTED:
Action requested is to approve the use of the reinstated dollars of $4,165 for the
accreditation process and to continue voluntary participation with the Commission on
Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies ~n our pursuit of reaccreditation in 2004.