HomeMy WebLinkAboutAuthorization to hire two Lateral Police Officers before JanCouncil/Agency Meeting Held:
Deferred/Continued to:
54 App;�6ved, ❑ Conditionally Approved ❑ Denied %SAb&0CiX�0lerk'AignatL r
Council Meeting Date: November 19, 2012
Department ID Number: PD-12-021
CITY OF HUNTINGTON BEACH
REQUEST FOR CITY COUNCIL ACTION
SUBMITTED TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
SUBMITTED BY: Fred A. Wilson, City Manager
PREPARED BY: Kenneth W. Small, Chief of Police
SUBJECT: Authorization to hire two Lateral Police Officers before January 1,
2013
Statement of Issue: Should the Police Department receive authorization to hire two Lateral
Police Officers before January 1, 2013?
Financial Impact: There are no additional funds required. Funding is included in the
Police Department's approved FY 12/13 budget.
Recommended Action: Motion to:
Authorize the Chief of Police to hire two Lateral Police Officer Candidates prior to January 1,
2013.
Alternative Action(s): Do not approve the hiring of two Lateral Police Officer Candidates
and direct staff accordingly.
Item 17- 1 HB -50-
REQUEST FOR COUNCIL ACTION
MEETING DATE: 11/19/2012 DEPARTMENT ID NUMBER: PD-12-021
Analysis: The approved FY12/13 budget includes funding for two hundred eight (208)
sworn police positions. Currently, the police department has one hundred ninety five (195) of
the two hundred eight (208) positions filled; leaving thirteen (13) funded sworn positions
vacant. The department has not experienced staffing levels (195 sworn) this low in over 30
years. The current vacancies are making it difficult for the department to provide quality
service to the community and requires scheduled overtime to meet minimum staffing
requirements in patrol.
The department has been recruiting lateral officer candidates because they will become fully
functioning police officers in a shorter period of time than an entry level candidate. The
training period is typically two to three months for a lateral candidate. An entry level person
is required to complete a six month academy program, and, if they graduate, will be training
for an additional six months or more. The training failure rate is significantly higher for entry
level candidates than lateral candidates. The department's goal at this time is to fill vacant
positions with quality lateral candidates who will be productive officers in the shortest amount
of time.
Two Lateral Police Officer candidates have completed the pre -hiring background process.
The department wants to offer them employment so they can complete the hiring process
and begin their training period. If hired now, the officers would fulfill their training
requirements before the summer staffing deployment. This would assist the department in
adequately staffing patrol during the summer months and minimize the transfer of personnel
from already depleted specialty assignments.
The Police Department feels it is important to fill vacant funded positions when qualified
candidates become available and requests authorization to fill two police officer positions at
this time.
Environmental Status: Not applicable
Strategic Plan Goal: Maintain public Safety
Attachment(s): None
xB -5T- Item 17- 2