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APPROVE MOTION AUTHORIZING AN AGREEMENT FOR POLICE OFFICER ASSIGNMENT BETWEEN THE SAN JOAQUIN REGIONAL TRANSIT DISTRICT AND THE CITY OF STOCKTON POLICE DEPARTMENT
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RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that City Council approve a motion to:
1. Authorize the City Manager to execute a one-year Agreement for Police Officer Assignment between the San Joaquin Regional Transit District and City of Stockton Police Department, in the amount of $130,021 annually between the City of Stockton and the San Joaquin Regional Transit District; and
2. Authorize and direct the City Manager to make any and all expenditures and appropriations on behalf of the City as appropriate and necessary to carry out the purpose and intent of this motion.
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Summary
The Stockton Police Department (SPD) provides high visibility patrol for the San Joaquin Regional Transit District (RTD) at all bus facilities and along bus routes. The RTD pays the SPD for the direct public safety assistance at a current annual rate of $123,385 per Officer. The current Agreement expires on September 30, 2020, and both parties wish to continue the relationship. The proposed Agreement provides $130,021 annually to the SPD to fund one full-time Police Officer dedicated to RTD. The Agreement term is for one year.
DISCUSSION
Background
In August 2006, the SPD began providing patrol services to RTD. The Agreement has evolved over time; Officers started by rotating hours on a part-time basis, and then one Officer was dedicated to RTD full-time by way of a Supplemental Police Services Agreement on October 1, 2010. Duties of the Officers supporting RTD have historically included patrolling RTD bus facilities, bus stops, and buses, issuing citations, making arrests, and acting as first responders. In 2014, a second Officer was added to the annual services agreement.
In 2017, Greyhound Bus Lines moved their hub to operate from the RTD Downtown Transfer Station, which increased the number of passengers and activity in the area. The RTD has over thirty (30) routes, which include three major transfer stations throughout Stockton. RTD opened an additional transfer station on January 27, 2019.
Present Situation
The SPD and RTD wish to begin a new agreement for police services, as its current Agreement expires on September 30, 2020. Due to the current Coronavirus pandemic, passengers and activity have significantly dropped wherein, RTD has requested the SPD assign only one full-time Officer to the RTD assignment. The RTD, under the new Agreement, will provide funding to finance one Officer assigned to RTD facilities and bus routes.
Established reimbursement rates were based upon eighty percent (80%) of the calculated average cost of a fully benefited Police Officer to account for any minimal reductions in-service hours. Since 2012, RTD agreement rate increases have been based on the Consumer Price Index, Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers, U.S Average, for the 12-month period ending with July each year. The 80% figure is based upon the average amount of time an Officer can dedicate to the assignment and maintain their mandatory training and certification requirements. The calculated rate may change at each renewal term; however, will not be above 80% of the average full cost of a Police Officer. The SPD will use these funds to pay the salaries and benefits of the assigned Officer. The SPD’s Special Operations Division will have the responsibility for coordinating the SPD’s participation at RTD.
Officer basic duties include, but are not limited to, patrolling all RTD bus facilities within RTD buses and at RTD bus stops, issuing citations, making arrests, and acting as first responders.
FINANCIAL SUMMARY
Revenue received under this Agreement is budgeted annually in the Police Department’s General Fund account 010-2400-371. The annual expenditures for two Officer positions currently assigned to RTD are included in the Police Department’s General Fund Special Operations account 010-2424-530. The reduction of one full-time Officer position from the current Agreement is due to the reduced need for services during the Coronavirus pandemic. The estimated loss in revenue for a one-year Agreement is $116,749. The reimbursement received under this Agreement of $130,021 are estimated at 80% to account for the mandatory training required of all sworn Officers to maintain their certifications as well as other scheduled leaves, which would take them away from the assigned locations. This practice is consistent with the SPD’s other supplemental service contract arrangements for full-time Officers.
Attachment A - Agreement for Police Officer Assignment - San Joaquin Regional Transit District