Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2009 11 09 Informational 102 Award for Re-Accrediation From The Commission For Florida Law Enforcment Accreditation COMMISSION AGENDA CONSENT INFORMATIONAL X ITEM 102 PUBLIC HEARING REGULAR November 9. 2009 MGR I/DEPT_Ia Meeting Authorization REQUEST: Police Department providing information to the Commission concerning its award for re- accreditation from the Commission for Florida Law Enforcement Accreditation. PURPOSE: The purpose of this agenda item is to inform the Commission that the Police Department has received State of Florida Re- Accreditation by the Commission for Florida Law Enforcement Accreditation (CFA). CONSIDERATIONS: On October 28, 2009 the Winter Springs Police Department was awarded the status of a State of Florida Re- Accredited Law Enforcement Agency by the Commission for Florida Law Enforcement Accreditation at their Commission meeting in Ponte Vedra, Florida. The accreditation process required an in -depth review of 84 standards that govern many aspects of the agency's organization, management, operations, and administration. The Commission was impressed with interaction between the officers and the community and particularly interested in the Lock Box Program which was highlighted during the meeting. The agency must stay in compliance with the standards set forth by the Commission for Florida Law Enforcement Accreditation. The Police Department will be evaluated again in three years for re- certification. The Winter Springs Police Department has set a standard in police services to ensure the highest quality of life possible. The Department is proud of this latest accomplishment and will continue to strive for improvement in every aspect of our duties. RECOMMENDATION: Information only ATTACHEMENTS: CFA Comparative Compliance On -Site Assessment Report COMMISSION ACTION: To: Commission for Florida Law Enforcement Accreditation, Inc. From: Ana Y. Guerra, Team Leader Date: July 28, 2009 Re: Comparative Compliance On -Site Assessment Report Winter Springs Police Department Standards Manual Edition: 4.0 A. Dates of On Site Assessment: July 28, 2009 through July 28, 2009 Key Agency Personnel: Chief Executive Officer: Chief Kevin Brunelle Accreditatition Manager: Corporal Daniel Accomando Accreditation Team Mernber(s): B. Assessment Team: Team Leader: Ana Y. Guerra (ayg) Team Member: Maria C. Marino Bollan (mcm -b) Title: Accreditation Manager Title: Accreditation Manager Employer: Village of Key Biscayne Police Department Employer: Delray Beach Police Department 88 W. McIntyre Street 300 West Atlantic Avenue Key Biscayne, PL 33149 Delray Beach, FL 33444 -3695 Telephone: 305365.8990 x 1111 Telephone: 561.243.7848 E -Mail: aguerra®kbpd.net E -Mail: marinntaaci.delray- bcach.fl.us Team Member: Bea Petrucci (bp) Title: Civilian Field Inspector/Stafflnspections Employer: Palm Beach County Sheriffs Office 3228 Gun Club Road West Palm Beach, FL 33406 -3001 Telephone: 561.68 8.3076 E -Mail: petrucccib@pbso.org C. Standards Summary Tally: CFA Compliance Taly Mandatory Percent of N Non-Mandatory Number of Number of Number of Percent of Appicabte Number of Percent of Standards Non- Standards Applicable Standards Applicable Applicable Total Not Number of Waived, Elected for Standards Not Non Elected Non Elected Number of Applicable Standards Applicable 209E Elected Elected Standards In Standards In Standards (By Function) Waived Standards Exemption (20% max.) {80% min.) Compliance Compliance* NI: 48 9 0 39 0 0.00% 100.00% 39 100.00% N: t 38 1 5 0 31 1 3.23% 98.77% 30 100.00% Both "Mandatory' and 'Non-Mandatory" In Iaet column must be 100 %for accreditation. Winter Springs Police Departmen Final Assessment Report: July 28, 200 Page 2of D. Agency Profile: The city of Winter Springs is located in Central Florida northeast of Orlando. It is a modern, thriving, predominantly bedroom suburban community. According to estimates from the 2000 U.S. Census Bureau, Winter Springs is a community of approximately 31,666 residents. According to current city estimates, the population has been rapidly growing and is now estimated to have over 34,000 residents. The city of Winter Springs was ranked by the August 2007 issue of Money Magazine as the 3st best place to live in the United States and the second best place to live in the state of Florida. The city of Winter Springs has a Council/Manager form of government where legislative authority is centered in an elected Board of Directors consisting of the Mayor and five Commissioners. The day -to-day management of the city is vested in a professional City Manager appointed by the elected body. In 1965, the citizens of North Orlando decided that it needed to have a police department of its own. This small community, made up mostly of owners of large tracts of land and a small section of homes owned by personnel from the U.S. Naval Air Base and Training Center, felt that they could better be served by a small department rather than being an area for the Sheriff's Office to patrol. The original officers provided most of their own equipment, to include their guns and police car. The next nine years were a struggle for this small department. The two radios were Located in the police chief's car and at his home. His wife would receive calls from citizens and dispatch the chief from their kitchen. This system eventually changed, as the city grew, and changed its name to Winter Springs, the department also changed. From 1965 to December of 1973, the police department saw 13 police chiefs come and go. Since 1997, the Winter Springs Police Department has increased its size to 70 sworn officers and 20 civilian employees. The command structure was changed to reflect the needs of the fixture. The chief of police created six bureaus to effectively manage the various aspects of the department. Under these bureaus are divisions and units that work together to get the job done. The police department then looked to improve the level of supervision in the department. It was decided to eliminate the rank of sergeant and make all mid -level supervisors lieutenants. This made the six bureau commanders captains. At this time, a career development plan was implemented for both sworn and non- sworn employees, making the family atmosphere and benefits at the Winter Springs Police Department very rare. The standards to be part of their family atmosphere were never higher, yet applicants tripled. The department's retention rate became the best in the area. In November 2008, Chief Daniel Kerr retired and Captain Kevin Brunelle was appointed Interim Chief. In January 2009, Interim Chief Brunelle was appointed Chief of Police by the Winter Springs City Council. The future looks bright for the Winter Springs Police Department. As a state and nationally accredited law enforcement agency, the WSPD projects a positive and professional image in the community. As the city grows, the officers' jobs will become more difficult, but the department's philosophy of being their citizens' neighbor will never change. The Winter Springs Police Department excelled and received their reaccreditation from the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA) in August 2008. Winter Springs Police Departmea Final Assessment Report: July 28, 200 Page 3 of 6 E. On -Site Assessment Summary: Prior to the Winter Springs Police Department comparative compliance assessment, the following information was forwarded to the team: Winter Springs Police Department standards status report, a sample of directives, organizational chart, and other pertinent information. In addition, Team Leader Ana Y. Guerra was provided the agency's Accreditation Manager® data. All assessor assignments were made before arrival. The team leader communicated with the other team members and the Accreditation Manager, Corporal Daniel Accomando, regarding various issues before the assessment. The assessment team arrived in Winter Springs in the late afternoon on Monday, July 27th, 2009. The team members met that evening and discussed the following day's itinerary and activities, the team's mission, accreditation philosophy, and all assignments were explained in detail. The team leader conducted refresher training on the Assessor Tools program and ensured that each team member was familiar with the program and understood their assignments. Accreditation Manager Accomando met the team at 8:OOAM, on Tuesday, July 28th, 2009, at the hotel and escorted them to the Winter Springs Police Department where the assessment commenced. The team was escorted to a training room, which would serve as its work area. The team was then taken on a tour of the headquarters building. The team members used this time to scrutinize every function of the agency and interview personnel within those functions. At approximately 9:OOAM, the formal entrance interview was conducted. Present at the entrance interview was the agency CEO, Chief Kevin Brunelle. Chief Brunelle welcomed the team and assured them of the entire agency's cooperation and that every aspect of the agency would be open to the team in order for them to verify compliance. The team leader introduced the members of the team and thanked the Chief and his staff for participating in the process and assured them of a thorough and professional assessment. At approximately 9:15AM, the team began reviewing files. Each assessor took time to meet and interview agency personnel, both sworn and non -sworn, while verifying compliance. Assessor Marino Bollan and Assessor Petrucci met with Police Dispatcher Christy Spence and verified standards applicable to that function. Assessor Marino- Bollan visited the Records Unit, spoke to Records Custodian Kristina Hooper who demonstrated and verified compliance with standards applicable to that function. Assessor Marino Bollan conducted an interview with Crime Scene Investigator Cathy Presley and verified that all standards to that function are addressed, including training. Assessor Guerra met with Patrol Officer Terry Noisier of the Patrol Division who demonstrated compliance with standards applicable to that function. Assessor Guerra met with Captain Jim Wilkins from the Investigations Division. Captain Wilkins explained procedures for confidential informants, including where information is kept, who has access to the area and maintenance of an informant file. Winter Springs Pollee Departmen Final Assessment Report: July 28,200 Page 4 of 6 Assessor Guerra conducted an interview with Ms. Mary Wilson from the Human Resources office regarding the maintenance of medical and training records for members with occupational exposure at the agency. The team worked until approximately 3:OOPM and prepared for the exit interview. The exit interview was held at 3:30PM in the agency's training room. Present was the Chief of Police, command staff and other department members. The team leader thanked the Chief of Police and his staff for their full and complete cooperation with the assessment process. The team leader stated that the Winter Springs Police Department was found to be in full compliance with all of the applicable standards and clearly demonstrated its full support for the accreditation process during their comparative compliance reaccreditation assessment. Each team member spoke briefly and Chief Brunelle ended the interview by thanking the team, his staff and expressed his full support of the accreditation process. There were no team/agency conflicts. The team and the agency worked very well together and it was a very professional relationship resulting In a very smooth assessment for all concerned. F. Standards Noncompliance Discussion: None. G. Corrective Action Discussion: None. H. Waiver Concurrence/Nonconcurrence Discussion and Recommendation: None. L 20 Percent Standards Election (See Section C. for "Tally Standards Elected for Exemption: 17.12 J. Standards Verified by the Team as "Not Applicable" to the Agency: 7.06 (Assessor: bp) 24.05 (Assessor bp) 24.06 (Assessor: bp) 30.04 M (Assessor: bp) 30.07 M (Assessor: bp) 31.01 M (Assessor: bp) 31.04 (Assessor: bp) 31.05 M (Assessor: bp) 31.06 M (Assessor: bp) 31.08 (Assessor: bp) 32.03 M (Assessor: ayg) 36.09 M (Assessor: mcm -b) 39.01 M (Assessor ayg) 39.03 M (Assessor: ayg) K. Standards, the Status of Which, Were Changed by Assessors: None. L. Public Information Activities: L-1. Public Information Session: None. L-2. Telephone Contacts Session: None. L-3. Correspondence and Media Interest: None. L -4. Follow -up by Assessment Team: None. M. Exemplary Policies/Projects /Procedures: The Winter Springs Police Department's "Lock Box Program" is intended to provide Police, Fire, and Emergency Medical Services (EMS) access to the residences of its citizens in the event of an emergency Winter Springs Police Departmen Final Assessment Deport: July 28, 200 Page S of 6 where the citizen is unable to open the door. A copy of the citizen's key to the residence is stored in a secure metal storage device (similar to a realtor's lock box) near the entrance of the home. The access code to the lock box is only available to Police, Fire or EMS personnel and used only during an emergency. The Lock Box Program was created for all city of Winter Springs residents. However, the main target is towards community members age 55 and older, or disabled persons who live alone and/or have major medical issues. The Lock Box Program does not incur a cost for the citizens that meet an established targeted criteria for the program. For all other Winter Springs citizens wishing to participate there is a one time fee of $17.00 to cover the cost of the lock. All participants provide a spare key to be used in the lock box. N. Quality of Law Enforcement Service: No chapter summaries. O. Summary and Recommendation: OVERALL CONCLUSIONS: The assessment team was very impressed with the Winter Springs Police Department and the professionalism of both its sworn and non -sworn members. The agency's policies and practices promote responsiveness to the community's law enforcement needs. Every member of the Winter Springs Police Department interviewed demonstrated a high level of job knowledge, competence and satisfaction. Chief Brunelle is clearly an exceptional leader and demonstrates his commitment daily to the members of his department and the citizens of Winter Springs. His leadership and enthusiasm permeates the entire office and all of its members. He leads by example and the entire agency demonstrate a sincere commitment the CFA accreditation process. The assessment team recommends the Commission review the Winter Springs Police Department for CFA reaccredited status at the next Commission meeting. NON COMPLIANCE SUMMARY: None. Signed: b l Ana Guerra Team Leader Winter Springs Police Departmen Final Amusement Report: July 28, 200 Page 6 of 6 List of required attachments to accompany submission of the final report: 1.Supporting documentation for noncompliance finding. 2.Supporting documentation for corrective action, old and new directive, if applicable, with changes highlighted. 3.Supporting documentation for waivers, with original waiver request form signed by Team Leader. 4,Public comment telephone log (original, if used). S.Correspondence received (original). 6.Onsite media coverage/articles /press releases. 7.Documentation for exemplary projects /policies/procedures. 8.Proof of CALEA Accreditation (Comparative Compliance only).