HomeMy WebLinkAboutAmend the FY 2015-16 Revised Budget in the Federal Asset ForDept. ID PD-16-011 Page 1 of 2
Meeting Date: 8/15/2016
Approved 7-0
CITY OF HUNTINGTON BEACH
REQUEST FOR CITY COUNCIL ACTION
MEETING DATE: 8/15/2016
SUBMITTED TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
SUBMITTED BY: Fred A. Wilson, City Manager
PREPARED BY: Robert Handy, Chief of Police
SUBJECT: Amend the FY 2015-16 Revised Budget in the Federal Asset Forfeiture Fund
(Fund 212) by $145,300 for the purchase of ballistic protection equipment for
HBPD sworn officers.
Statement of Issue:
The City Council is requested to appropriate $145,300 in the Federal Asset Forfeiture Fund for the
purchase of ballistic helmets, face shields, ballistic armor, and plate carrier vests for sworn officers
of the police department.
Financial Impact:
The funds for this request are available in the Federal Asset Forfeiture Fund Balance (Fund 212).
Recommended Action:
Appropriate $145,300 in business unit 21270101.63100 for the purchase of ballistic helmets, face
shields, and ballistic armor, and plate carrier vests with "Police" identification patches.
Alternative Action(s):
Do not approve the appropriation and direct staff accordingly.
Analysis:
The Police Department has a need for new ballistic helmets and face shields to replace the current
ones worn by our police officers. In addition, recent attacks on police officers across the nation with
high powered rifles have caused our department to evaluate the need for better body armor
protection.
The ballistic helmet is made of a Kevlar material and is effective in stopping a variety of handgun
rounds, in addition to some rifle rounds. Over time, the Kevlar material breaks down and could fail
to protect officers against gunfire. The majority of the existing helmets has passed or will be
passing their manufacturer recommended shelf life.
These helmets and face shields also act as protection from hard objects and liquids being thrown at
officers. Some recent examples of their effectiveness were in the downtown disturbance of 2013
and recent political rallies in Anaheim, Costa Mesa, and Santa Ana. The face shields are an
important part of our protective equipment and will need replacement along with the older helmets.
Direct attacks on police officers have become more deadly as we are seeing an increased use of
high powered rifles by suspects with both military and private training. Recent events across
Dept. ID PD-16-011 Page 2 of 2
Meeting Date: 8/15/2016
America have demonstrated the vulnerability of police officers. So far this year, police officer
deaths involving firearms is up 72% compared to the same time last year.
Our officers are currently issued Kevlar soft body armor rated to stop only small caliber handgun
rounds. These vests have proven to save the lives of Huntington Beach officers in past, all of which
have been handgun rounds. The level of protection currently afforded to our police officers will not
stop most rifle rounds.
Steel plated armor carried in a plate carrier vest will provide our police officers with superior
protection against multiple high powered rifle rounds. The carrier vest is worn on the exterior of the
uniform during potentially dangerous situations including an active shooter or high risk entry into a
building.
City Council authorization is requested to increase the FY 2015-16 Revised Budget in the Federal
Asset Forfeiture Fund (Fund 212) to fund the necessary and recommended ballistic helmets, face
shields, steel plate armor and plate carrier vests, and "police" identification Velcro patches for all
sworn personnel.
Environmental Status:
N/A
Strategic Plan Goal:
Enhance and maintain public safety
Attachmentfs):
None