Title
Adoption of Resolution Authorizing the City Manager to Negotiate and Execute a Grant Agreement Between the United States Department of Justice, Office of Community Oriented Policing Services and the City of Alameda by and through the Alameda Police Department to Accept $224,497 in Grant Funds to Achieve Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, Inc. (CALEA) Accreditation; and
Adoption of Resolution Amending the Fiscal Year 2024-25 Police Grants Fund (Fund 221) Estimated Revenue and Expenditures Budget in the Amount of $224,497 for the Supporting Law Enforcement Agencies in Seeking Accreditation Grant. (Police 10031100)
Body
To: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
From: Jennifer Ott, City Manager
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The Alameda Police Department (APD) has been awarded a Fiscal Year 2024-25 Community Policing Development - Supporting Law Enforcement Agencies in Seeking Accreditation grant to develop the capacity of APD to implement effective practices, outcomes, and strategies to prevent crime and promote safe communities. Staff seeks City Council’s approval to accept the grant funds and adopt the resolution.
BACKGROUND
The Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, Inc. (CALEA) was created in 1979 as a credentialing authority through the joint efforts of law enforcement’s major executive associations. The CALEA Accreditation program provides public safety agencies with an opportunity to voluntarily meet an established set of professional standards.
On November 1, 2022, staff recommended, and was directed by City Council, to hire a Police Auditor who would report to the City Attorney and whose duties would include seeking and maintaining accreditation. The Police Auditor was hired in July 2023.
In May 2024, the Police Auditor applied for a two-year grant to offset the costs of seeking accreditation. As part of the application process, the Police Auditor outlined major activities we would take to achieve accreditation, identified the data collection and evaluation methods, prepared an implementation plan and a budget, and developed a timeline for achieving accreditation.
On September 17, 2024, APD was notified that the grant was awarded in the amount of $224,497 (Exhibit 1). Having previously served in a role with a law enforcement agency helping to attain and maintain compliance, the Police Auditor will support APD in the accreditation process by overseeing the day-to-day management of the grant and organization of the CALEA standards.
DISCUSSION
An agency seeking to achieve the CALEA Advanced Law Enforcement Accreditation Program is required to meet 461 standards. The standards range from topics such as Use of Force and Biased Policing to Cash Funds/Accounts Maintenance and Personnel Support Services Program. Achieving accreditation requires all 461 standards to be met, which may require modifications to existing policies and procedures, and the establishment of new training programs. The accreditation process is projected to take three years.
To meet the needs of accreditation, the grant will be used for the following expenses:
1) APD personnel costs: $98,446
2) Police Auditor cost: $93,000
3) Accreditation fees: $16,950
4) Training expenses: $16,101
APD personnel costs will include labor expenses to have Police Officers and Police Sergeants draft policies and procedures as well as funding to train the entire Department on any modified or new policies and procedures. As part of their responsibilities, 20% of the Police Auditor’s time will be dedicated to this process with grant funding covering 20% of the Police Auditor’s salary and benefits for each of the two years. The accreditation fees include the initial on-site assessment charge and the cost to obtain accreditation. The training expenses include attendance at CALEA conferences designed to support agencies seeking accreditation.
ALTERNATIVES
• Approve and accept the grant award, which will enable APD to avoid using General Fund money to seek accreditation.
• Decline the grant award, which will result in the need for the City of Alameda to use General Fund dollars to seek accreditation or result in a lack of accreditation.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
Acceptance of the grant will help offset the cost of APD and Police Auditor personnel costs and pay for accreditation and training expenses.
MUNICIPAL CODE/POLICY DOCUMENT CROSS REFERENCE
The proposed action is consistent with the Alameda Municipal Code.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
This action does not constitute a “project” as defined in California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines Section 15378 and therefore no further CEQA analysis is required.
CLIMATE IMPACT
There are no identifiable climate impacts or climate action opportunities associated with the subject of this report.
RECOMMENDATION
Adopt a resolution authorizing the City Manager to negotiate and execute a grant agreement between the United States Department of Justice, Office of Community Oriented Policing Services and the City of Alameda by and through the Alameda Police Department to accept $224,497 in grant funds to achieve CALEA accreditation and adoption of resolution amending the Fiscal Year 2024-25 Police Grants Fund (Fund 221) Operating Budget increasing appropriations by $224,497.
Respectfully submitted,
Nishant Joshi, Chief of Police
By,
Alan Kuboyama, Lieutenant
Financial Impact section reviewed,
Margaret O’Brien, Finance Director
Exhibit:
1. Notification of Award