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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1996 11 25 Regular Item J '. , COMMISSION AGENDA ITEM J Add On REGULAR X CONSENT INFORMATIONAL November 25. 1996 Meeting MGR.;f~ /DEPT Authorization REQUEST: City Manager updating the Commission on the status of the Police Chief selection process and recognizing Acting Police Chief Pieper and the department for doing an outstanding job during the period of time the department has been without a chief. PURPOSE: To update the Commission on the progress and status of the Police Chief selection process and to recognize Acting Police Chief Pieper and department personnel for doing an outstanding job during the period of time the department has been without a chief. CONSIDERATION: The Citizen Advisory Committee has reduced the list of applicants for Police Chief to four candidates to enter the Assessment Center. The Assessment Center will be held on December 12, 1996. The candidates are: Daniel 1. Kerr Police Chief Sterling, Virginia Bruce W. Davis Police Chief Liberty Missouri William Heim Police Chief/ Dir. Public Safety North Augusta, South Carolina Schuyler Meyer ill Police Captain Piano, Texas Former Police Chief Pompano Beach, FL Page 1 " " The volunteer assessors that will be taking part in the Assessment Center are as follows: , Manual B. Pandakos Special Agent in Charge Orlando Regional Office Florida Department of Law Enforcement Charles Tabscott Assistant States Attorney in Charge Seminole County States Attorney Office Wolfgang Halbig Director of Security Seminole County Schools Father John Bluett Pastor St. Stephen's Catholic Church Jack Schluckebier City Manager City of Casselberry Pete Knowles City Manager City of Sanford (Retired) Richard Beary Chief of Police Lake Mary Don Eslinger Sheriff Seminole County Upon completion of the Assessment Center I will complete background investigations and negotiations with the number one candidate and bring that person to you for ratification no later than the first meeting in January. The following are just a few of the significant accomplishments of the Police Department in recent months: COMMUNICATIONS 'Ie Total revision of Training Program and training practices Established a 2-operator minimum staffing policy Eliminated practice of starting below minimum salary for first eight months Established Part-Time Flexible work-force * * * The above actions have resulted in drastic reductions in the use of sick time, and improved morale by the equitable distribution of workloads. As a result of this, five Page 2 :\ experienced former operators have returned as Part-time employees, and four experienced operators have been attracted away from other law enforcement agencies. TRAINING '" Returned position of "Training Coordinator" to a certified officer, who is certified by FDLE as a Law Enforcement Instructor Total revision of Field Training Program for new officers, and return to the practice of using a variety of Field Training Officers during the 10-week process Liberal use of available training from out-of-agency resources (Seminole Community College, Valencia Community College, Institute of Police Technology and Management, area law enforcement agencies) '" '" The above actions have resulted in an increase in specialized training of the Officers. More officers have attended specialized training in 1996 than in the years 1994 and 1995 combined. This results in better service to the community, and increased morale among the troops. RECRUITING AND HIRING PRACTICES Since January 1996, six of the eight officers recruited and hired possess college degrees or are working toward degrees. The previously high turnover rate of officers has slowed, and sixteen of the eighteen officers employed since January 1995 remain with the department. OPERA TIONS I ENFORCEMENT 1 INVESTIGATIONS In 1996, officers and investigators effectively collaborated with outside resources (FDLE & other agencies) to successfully solve three murder investigations. Two suspects are under arrest and awaiting trial, the third was not charged, as it was a justifiable homicide in self-defense by a homeowner. The arrest of one of these suspects also solved an armed robbery in the City, as well as several armed robberies in surrounding jurisdictions. In 1996, the Investigations Division cracked three separate burglary rings working in the area. Thirty arrests were made on a ring working the Tuscawilla area, twenty arrests were made on a ring working the Wildwood subdivision, and several juveniles were referred to court alternatives for a bicycle theft ring operating on the North/W est side of the city. The ratio of the values of property recovered to property stolen is the highest in the history of the department. Investigators solved an armed robbery in the city, which lead to the Chicago Police Page 3 .. ~ Department in making an arrest in a drive-by shooting committed by the same subject. The Philadelphia Police Department provided information which lead to the Investigations Division capturing a subject wanted for a triple-murder by a pipe bomb in Philadelphia. To combat the ever-increasing problem of Gang Violence, particularly in our schools, a detective has been sent to specialized training and is a member of a multi-jurisdictional gang intelligence unit made up of Central Florida law enforcement agencies. The Police Department is currently in the process of joining the City-County Investigations Bureau, and providing a member to be part of this multi-jurisdictional task force to fight the growing problem of drugs and prostitution in Seminole County. The Patrol Division participates with other agencies in specialized functions such as the City-County-State Traffic Enforcement Unit, and special enforcement actions such as Drn Checkpoints and Holiday Traffic Safety Campaigns. A TT ACHMENTS: COMMISSION ACTION: Page 4