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POLICE AIR SUPPORT PROGRAM
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RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended City Council adopt a resolution:
1. Accepting funds from the State of California in the amount of $3,000,000 for the purchase of a helicopter;
2. Appropriating revenue and expenditure budget in the Police Special Projects and Grants Account; and
3. Authorizing the City Manager to take all necessary and appropriate actions to carry out the purpose and intent of this resolution.
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Summary
The Stockton-San Joaquin metropolitan area has not had helicopter air support for over two decades and is currently the only area in the State without a helicopter in its County. The closest helicopters available are California Highway Patrol (CHP) helicopter in Auburn or Stanislaus County Sheriff in Modesto, and Stockton must request mutual aid in order to receive any type of air support. With the second highest violent crime rate in the State, and several significant pursuits in the last few years, Stockton’s need for air support is critical. Prior to, and then in the wake of the devastating active rolling shooter Bank of the West robbery in 2014, the Stockton Police Department researched several potential ways to establish an air support program for law enforcement. The high procurement cost and lack of available funds was a challenge to overcome.
With the help of State Assemblymember Susan Talamantes Eggman and State Senator Cathleen Galgiani, Assembly Bill 1822 provided a direct allocation of $3,000,000 to the City of Stockton to purchase a helicopter to provide air support to law enforcement and for other purposes. Staff is requesting City Council amend the Fiscal Year (FY) 2018-19 budget to accept the allocation, appropriate revenue and expenditure budgets within the Police Department, and authorize staff to begin the process of procuring necessary auxiliary and support equipment to run an air support program. Procurement of the actual helicopter is currently underway and will come before City Council for separate approval. The Air Support Unit operating budget will require an additional budget appropriation, the amount of which is not known until an aircraft is selected. Staff will bring both items forward for Council’s consideration before the end of the calendar year.
DISCUSSION
Background
Over the last several years, the Stockton Police Department has researched ways to obtain air support for the police department. One of the key findings of The Police Foundation’s independent review of the 2014 Bank of the West robbery is the need to establish air support. Stockton is the largest city in the Central Valley without a helicopter or fixed-wing aircraft. The closest helicopter available is 40 minutes away in Modesto or 60 minutes away in Auburn. San Joaquin County Sheriff’s Office operates a fixed-wing aircraft; however, it cannot be deployed swiftly, is not always available when needed, and is not designed for patrol operations.
In 2016, staff made a recommendation against a fixed-wing aircraft, favoring a rotary, or helicopter as the type of aircraft to best meet the Department’s needs. Over the last several years, Police Chief Eric Jones has been very involved with State leaders and legislators on a variety of public safety topics, including Procedural Justice and implementation of the President’s 21st Century Policing task force recommendations. As part of the annual meetings with the City’s State and Federal Lobbyists, the topic of a helicopter was raised as one of Stockton’s high priority funding needs.
Present Situation
In late 2017 and early 2018, the Chief and other City officials met with various members of the State Legislature and fielded several questions about Stockton’s unique position lacking readily accessible air support. Both Assemblymember Eggman and Senator Galgiani championed the story, and a direct allocation of $3 million was written into Assembly Bill 1822. Funds were made available to Stockton through the Board of State Community Corrections Planning and Grant programs.
Adding a police helicopter and an Air Support Unit to Stockton has many benefits, including faster response times, apprehension of fleeing suspects, locating missing persons, reducing risk during vehicle pursuits, increasing police presence and visibility, and responding to natural disasters. The ability to have “eyes in the sky” will serve as a force multiplier and will enhance the Department’s response to calls for service. The helicopter will further enhance an overall air support program and will not replace the Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) drones.
In addition to staffing, the operation of an Air Support Unit has several other significant costs, including insurance, lease of hangar space, purchase of fuel, and aircraft maintenance, among others. Preliminary estimates on annual program costs are between $1.2 million and $2.5 million over the next five years, with over half of that being staff costs, which the Police Department will absorb. The estimates are preliminary until a specific helicopter is identified and procured due to many of the ancillary costs, particularly maintenance and insurance, fluctuating based on the type of aircraft selected.
On August 23, 2018, a Request for Bid (PUR 18-019) was published for a new helicopter. Bids were due September 13, 2018, and staff is currently completing its due diligence review and preparing a separate staff report for Council to authorize procurement of a helicopter. Most of the other items required to sufficiently operate the Air Support Unit will fall under the City Council’s Administrative Authority and follow normal City procurement procedures. Staff has conducted significant research on these items and where possible has requested assistance from the Federal Defense Reutilization and Marketing Office (DRMO) program for surplus items.
FINANCIAL SUMMARY
The State of California Board of State and Community Corrections issued a check to the City of Stockton in the amount of $3,000,000 and in fact, the City is already in receipt of the funds. Staff is requesting revenue and expenditure budget be established in the Police Grants & Special Programs Account No. 025-6451 for the procurement of the helicopter and related equipment.