Agenda

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Finance Committee

Meeting Date:	06/30/2020
FROM:	Bill Gallardo

Subject:

Extension of the Lateral Police Officer Bonus Incentive Pilot Program

RECOMMENDATION

Continue for an additional year the lateral police officer recruitment incentive bonus pilot program, up to four officers for FY 2020-21 at $12,000 per officer to include an initial payment of $6,000 upon hire per lateral police officer, and the second $6,000 would be paid upon successful completion of the required one-year probationary employment period .

BACKGROUND/DISCUSSION

Recruitment of police officers continues to be highly competitive as law enforcement agencies throughout Southern California compete for the same limited pool of applicants for pre-service police academy recruits. While the Police Department and the City’s Human Resources Division continue to proactively seek qualified candidates, lateral police officers continue to be an additional way to secure quality qualified police officers. Lateral police officers are currently serving police officers at other law enforcement agencies who may be interested in seeking employment at a different agency. The desire to seek employment at another police department can often be driven by the desire to seek new opportunities or a need to relocate for various reasons. Lateral police officers bring training and experience to the Brea Police Department and can be trained and deployed into the field at a more accelerated rate than police recruits.

In order to increase the City’s attractiveness to potential lateral police officers, the Police Department and the City’s Human Resources Division worked together to develop a pilot program to provide new lateral police officers with a recruitment bonus. A lateral police officer hired by the City after this pilot program’s second-year approval by City Council is eligible for a $12,000 bonus, paid in two installments. The first $6,000 would be paid upon hire, and the second $6,000 would be paid upon the successful completion of the required one-year probationary employment period.

The program's first year was FY 2019-20. During FY 2019-20, three qualified lateral police officers were employed by the Police Department under this incentive program. All three are experienced police officers who each has between 5 – 6.5 years of law enforcement experience with other agencies prior to joining the Brea Police Department. All three officers brought a wealth of experience and knowledge with them which ranged from bias-based policing, tactical communications, and tolerance training to one being a certified drug recognition expert. One of the lateral police officers is currently off training and successfully working on his own. The other two lateral police officers are currently finishing up their field training and will be deployed into the field ahead of other trainees due to their prior years of service with their respective law enforcement agencies. Staff is recommending an additional year of the program for up to four officer within FY 2020-21

SUMMARY/FISCAL IMPACT

The proposed funding allocation for this second-year pilot program is $48,000 spread over two fiscal years. $24,000 will be allocated in Fiscal Year 2020-21, enough for the hiring of up to four (4) lateral police officers during that fiscal year. The other $24,000 will be allocated for Fiscal Year 2021-22, for the second installment of those lateral police officers for the successful conclusion of their probationary year. No new funds are being requested to continue this program as salary savings within the Police Department budget are expected to be available to fund this program.

RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED

William Gallardo, City Manager
Prepared by: Adam Hawley, Acting Chief of Police

Attachments
FY 19-20 Lateral Police Officer Bonus Incentive Pilot Program