Findings on police department study discussed
Findings on police department study discussed
By: Catherine Smirnoff
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Posted by editor Tue Nov 30, 1999 00:00:00 PST
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0 responses 0 comments The final public meeting to explore and discuss issues related to the city police study was held last week.
Thirty concerned city residents attended the June 28 meeting to receive more information regarding the Tehachapi Police Department, scheduled to begin full operation July 1, 2007.
The city hired an outside consulting firm to do an in-depth study into the effectiveness of a police department and a cost analysis of such a program, with public meetings throughout the study process to keep citizens informed.
“We are here tonight to bring everyone up to date on our background study and our final analysis of what is going to happen” said consultant Tom Esentsen.
“We will also try to help the community learn how they can help the process.”
In 1987, the city contracted with Kern County Sheriff's Department to provide services.
Esentsen said that in the year 2005/06 there were significant cost increases, much that the city of Tehachapi had no control over and that significant growth is expected here in the future.
He also said that based on what he had read on different Blog sites, many of people “feel you are getting a lot of freebies by being a contract city.”
However, Esentsen said Kern County does not charge any smaller city police department in the county for helicopter use, coroner, SWAT, forensics, including Delano, California City or Ridgecrest.
“These are called specialized services,” he said.
Esentsen said the county currently provides nine sworn personnel, but that for officer and community safety issues, his recommends 11 sworn personnel for 2006/07 and 2007/08 and increasing one officer each year in 2008/09, 2009/10 and 2010/11.
When conducting their study, Esentsen and Thomas factored in the city's ability to: control costs and set a specific policing style unique to Tehachapi; ensure officer ties to the community; prioritize and set goals; and select personnel. They balanced this with the increased administrative burden to a city, career path options available with a county contract arrangement, training costs and the total costs of policing.
Kern County projected continued sheriff contract costs at over $1.9 million for 2006/07, increasing to $2.6 million in 2010/11. The projected costs for Tehachapi Police Department are $1.5 million for 2006/07 increasing to just over $1.9 million in 2010/11.
The Esentsen and Thomas findings project a $1.2 million savings over the next five years and the ability to control future costs with flexibility to respond to growth in the community. The start up costs for the city police department are estimated to be around $800,000.
When asked whether the new police department can supplement their strength with reserve deputies or volunteers similar to the volunteer group working with the sheriff's department, Esentsen said that state legistlation requires reserve deputies to go through extensive training hours, making it difficult to recruit new reservists.
“However, that is a decision that can be determined by the new police chief,” he said.
In arriving at competitive salaries, the consultants compared salaries with KCSD, California City Police, Delano Police and Ridgecrest Police to get a competitive salary.
“Tehachapi can also offer a good benefits package, to be determined by the city council,” Thomas said.
According to city manager Jason Caudle, the spread sheets that compared costs of county services with a city police department are available online and at city hall.
“The police chief will be experienced in running a department,” Caudle said. “The big picture is that I would like to see a department that reflects our needs and goals.”
He said that the city basically extends from Tucker to Dennison and includes approximately 8,000 residents.
Phase III
Phase III of the study is now being implemented, which includes the recruitment process for the new Police Chief, whi is expected to be hired by November 2006. The new chief must be California POST Management Certified, have a valid California drivers license, a minimum of three years field experience as a lieutenant or above, supervisor training and be experienced in community policymaking and project management.
“We will be doing extensive background checks. The most important thing is to hire a good police chief; you can't afford to hire a loser.” said Thomas.
Esenstsen and Thomas are also compiling a guidebook of the items that need to be accomplished or in place by July 2007. Also included in that guidebook will be performance guidelines so the city can evaluate how the chief is working with the city and the community.
Thomas concluded by saying, “I urge the community to get involved with volunteer groups. When the new chief comes on board, you should expect to see him in the community and at meetings.”
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