HomeMy WebLinkAbout01/16/1990, C-5 - REQUEST FOR APPROVAL OF OVERSTAFFING OF ONE LIEUTENANT'S POSITION IN THE POLICE DEPARTMENT :y
Meeting D--`4: January 16 , 1990
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Mar,e COUNCIL AGENOA REPORT
FROM: Police Department Jim Gardiner, Chief of Police
SUBJECT: Request for approval of overstaffing of one
Lieutenant's position in the Police Department
RECOMMEENDATION:
Authorize and approve funding for overstaffing of one
Lieutenant position through FY 91-92.
DISCUSSION:
Background
In August 1989, a Police Department Lieutenant was injured in
an off-duty motorcycle accident. Since that time, the Lieutenant
has been recovering from extensive surgery involving the loss of
his lower left leg and severe damage to his left arm. While it is
anticipated that he will be available to return to limited duty
soon, the long-term prognosis is still uncertain.
Over the last five months, the loss of the Lieutenant., a
Patrol Watch Commander, has been absorbed by adjusting other
supervisory schedules, work hours, and assignments . Department
supervisors have been extremely supportive in meeting this
organizational need. This, however, has taken its toll both
organizationally and personally on the supervisors . Non-patrol
supervisors, particularly the Traffic Sergeant, have been pulled
away from their normal duties to fill minimum deployments. We have
been faced with many more shifts with only one supervisor
available. This has caused a significant reduction in field
supervision. This is critical in assuring the most efficient use
of Department resources and providing support for field officers .
Finally, the situation has reduced the availability of staff
for administrative support of Department operations . Over the past
several years, the Department has been reviewing our operations and
future needs. This will be presented to the Council in the form
of a Five Year Police Services Plan later this year. A component
of this evaluation has identified a weakness in the resources
available for administrative support and tasks . This has been
evidenced by the necessity for continued use of field staff for
administrative assignments. We have also focused on the need for
an extensive review of policy and procedures and the development
of a comprehensive Department Manual.
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COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
Immediate Operational Needs
As the Department enters the new year, we begin one of our
most active periods . Two Lieutenants (Watch Commanders) and two
Sergeants (Field Supervisors) are assigned tocover one of the 12
hour patrol shifts each week. The Watch Commander is normally in
the station providing overall management of the shift resources
including the Communications Center and other station personnel.
As the title suggests, the Field Supervisor is primarily assigned
to the field to provide immediate supervision and direction, as
needed. He also provides backup and support for field personnel in
handling calls for service. Even with full staffing, the time
necessary for normal days off, mandatory training, staff
assignments, sick days and vacations leave several days a week on
which only one staff member will be on duty. During the past five
months, the loss of Lt.Costa has meant that one staff member on
duty has been the rule rather than the exception
The Department has used the three remaining Lieutenant and
Sergeant positions to fill shift assignments to ensure that one
staff member is on duty at all times. These positions are the
Investigative Lieutenant, Traffic. Sergeant, and the Training
Sergeant. After reviewing the short and long term impacts on the
organization, it is felt that the reassignment of any of these
positions on a permanent basis would significantly impair the
Department's ability to meet service responsibilities and fulfill
policy direction of the City Council.
The Department feels that an immediate promotional process
should be initiated to fill this vacancy. We also feel that this
should be accomplished through an authorized overstaffing so that
the number of line officers providing direct service to the
community are not reduced.
Administrative Lieutenant Position
As noted above, the Department has identified the lack of
administrative support as an area of concern within the
organization. The Department conducted a review of our primary
administrative tasks and where they are currently assigned. We
also looked to current and future administrative needs for the
organization. After careful evaluation, it was felt that an
administrative management position, preferably with sworn police
officer experience, would best meet our needs . Additionally, as
the position is designed, we feel that it will increase the
performance capabilities of both the Traffic and Training Sergeant
assignments by freeing them of administrative tasks which take them
away from their primary responsibilities .
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COUNCIL AGENOA REPORT
A general description of duties for the Administrative
Lieutenant include:
1 . Research projects, provide analysis, and develop Department
policies and procedures .
2. Plan and organize crime prevention goals and objectives.
3. Conduct special event permit review and coordination.
4 . Complete Department background investigations.
5. Review and process permit and licensing applications.
6. Serve as personnel recruitment coordinator.
7 . Conduct emergency preparedness planning.
8. Serve as cost recovery programs coordinator.
9 . Provide community college liaison.
10. Serve as Affirmative Action coordinator.
11. Serve as volunteer and special programs coordinator.
These duties and responsibilities will require the ability to
write and speak clearly, concisely, and persuasively. The position
requires the ability to collect and analyze a wide variety of data
to develop viable alternatives and recommendations. A background
which is thoroughly familiar with the police role and function is
essential. The ability to supervise effectively and to develop and
maintain cooperative relationships will also be needed. These
attributes and qualities are most directly comparable to that of
a middle manager. This is a Lieutenant in our sworn ranks.
Conclusion
The personnel of the Department believe that the
Administrative Lieutenant position will enhance the overall
effectiveness of the Department and will provide better service to
our community. While this adjustment to Department personnel
strength would normally have come to Council through the budget
process, we believe that this unique set of circumstances provides
an opportunity to address some of the identified needs while
returning a valuable Department and City employee to regular duty.
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COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
It will be our intention to phase the Lieutenant into this
position over the next year as his physical condition permits .
Based on information which we have now, we hope that he may begin
partial days of work in February. As his abilities improve, he
will assume the job tasks he can handle. Any time which he must
take off due to his rehabilitative process will be charged to his
earned sick time credits . The Lieutenant understands that the
Department will review his ability to handle this position and that
a determination to continue the position as an overstaff or convert
to a regular position will be made at the end of FY 91-92 . He
remains eager to resume his work with the Department.
In conclusion, the Department wishes to emphasize that this
position would have been requested even without the injury to the
Lieutenant. Indeed, he would have been one of the prime candidates
to fill the position had he not been injured. If he is able to
develop his capabilities so that he could return to field duty, we
look on this position as a valuable management development
assignment which would allow the Department to further enhance the
skills of our middle managers.
FISCAL IMPACT
If authorized, this overstaffing would result in an annual
increase in Department budget of $68,473 to cover the cost of
salary and benefits for the Lieutenant position. The Department
has all other equipment (desk, chair, etc. ) necessary to support
the position. Given the time required to fill the vacant
Lieutenant position, the additional cost for the balance of FY
1989-90 will be approximately $17, 100.00. This additional amount
will be transferred to the Police Department budget from the
General Fund balance.
ALTERNATIVES
In addition to the recommended alternative, the following
alternative is available.
1. The Council could direct Personnel to review the Lieutenant's
medical condition and make a determination as to whether or
not he should receive a disability retirement. As all current
Lieutenant positions require full field capabilities, it is
certain that the Lieutenant would be unable, at this time, to
meet these requirements . The department feels that while this
would allow us to proceed to fill the vacancy created, it
would be the significant loss of a valuable resource to the
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COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
Department and the City. The management skills and knowledge
of a senior middle manager take years to develop. The
Department believes we can effectively use these skills, and
that this action is not in the best interests of the City, the
Department, or the employee.
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COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
APPROVED:
,City A inistrative Officer
41
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Finance Director
Personnel Director
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ATTACHMENTS
1. Proposed Administrative Lieutenant Job Description
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ATTACHMENT#1
City of San Luis Obispo
ADMINISTRATIVE LIEUTENANT
GENERAL STATEMENT OF DUTIES:
Performs a variety of research , analytical, and administrative
functions for the police department. Duties include responsibility
for planning and organizing crime prevention goals and objectives,
review of permit and license applications, special event
coordination, cost recovery program coordination, personnel
recruitment coordination, emergency preparedness planning,
- affirmative action coordinator, animal control liaison, volunteer
and special programs coordinator, safety committee reprsentative,
and public information officer responsibilities.
SUPERVISION RECEIVED:
Works under the supervision of a Bureau Commander.
SUPERVISION EXERCISED:
As directed by the Bureau Commander.
EXAMPLES OF DUTIES:
Coordinates special programs, conducts special studies, conducts
\ administrative investigations,and reviews licenses and permits .
Plans and organizes crime prevention objectives and programs, acts
as liaison for special programs and functions, perforans specified
media relations functions. .
REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS:
Ability to collect and analize a wide variety of data and to
construct and offer viable alternatives. Ability to develop and
coordinate special. programs and functions. The ability to write and
speak clearly, concisely and persuasively. Ability to supervise
effectively and to develop and maintain cooperative relationships .
MINIMUM OUALIFICATIONS:
Must be a sworn officer of the San Luis Obispo Police Department,
with the rank of lieutenant. This is a lateral assignment postion
made at the discretion of the- Chief of Police.