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Home My WebLink AboutE-12 Staff Report - Lateral Police Officer Recruitment Bonus Incentive-Pilot ProgramCONSENT ITEM E-12 TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL VIA: SERGIO GONZALEZ, CITY MANAGER FROM: TALIKA M. JOHNSON, DIRECTOR OF ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES DATE: JULY 19, 2021 SUBJECT: ADOPT LATERAL POLICE OFFICER AND POLICE DISPATCHER RECRUITMENT INCENTIVE PILOT PROGRAM BACKGROUND: In order to increase the City's attractiveness to potential experienced Police Officers and Police Dispatchers, the Police Department and Human Resources have worked together to develop a pilot program to provide new Lateral Police Officers and Dispatchers with a recruitment bonus. RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends the City Council take the following action: 1)Adopt the attached Resolution No. 2021-C36 authorizing a Lateral Police Officer and Lateral Police Dispatcher Recruitment Incentive Pilot Program. ANALYSIS: The Police Department currently has a total of 11 full-time vacancies in the officer (23% vacancy rate) and dispatcher (20% vacancy rate) positions. In the recent past, the recruitment of Police Officers and Police Dispatchers has become highly competitive as law enforcement agencies throughout Southern California are competing for the same applicants, and retaining qualified candidates is challenging. Although the Azusa Police Department and Human Resources continue to proactively seek a large pool of pre-service (Trainee) candidates, another way to address applicant shortages and find a competitive advantage is to seek lateral applicants. Laterals are current police officers and police dispatchers at other law enforcement agencies who may be interested in seeking employment at a different agency. Often, lateral applicants are seeking new opportunities or may wish to re-locate for various reasons. Lateral Police Officers and Dispatchers bring training and experience, and can be deployed into the field much more quickly than Trainees can. Laterals can also bring experience balance to the department. While the City offers competitive salary and benefits, in order to increase the City's attractiveness to potential Lateral Police Officers and Police Dispatchers, the Police Department and Human Resources APPROVED CITY COUNCIL 7/19/2021 Lateral Police Officer and Police Dispatcher Recruitment Bonus Incentive Pilot Program July 19, 2021 Page 2 have worked together to develop a pilot program to provide new Lateral Police Officers and Dispatchers with a recruitment bonus. Recruitment incentive programs for lateral police officers are becoming more common, where through a recent survey staff has seen bonuses range from $3,000 to $30,000. The proposed pilot program will be for three years, commencing August 1, 2021 through July 31, 2024, and then will be brought back to Council for review and discussion of continuing or discontinuing. New Lateral Police Officers officially offered a full-time position with the City between August 1, 2021 through July 31, 2024 would be eligible for a $15,000 bonus, paid in two installments. The first payment will be $7,500 upon successful completion of the required 12-month probationary employment period, and the second $7,500 at 36-months of consecutive employment. New Lateral Dispatchers officially offered a full-time position with the City between August 1, 2021 through July 31, 2024 would be eligible for a $5,000 bonus, paid in two installments. The first payment will be $2,500 upon successful completion of the required 12-month probationary employment period, and the second $2,500 at 36-months of consecutive employment. The attached resolution further describes the Program provisions. FISCAL IMPACT: The proposed funding allocation for this pilot program is up to $15,000 over a three-year period per Lateral Police Officer hired August 1, 2021 through July 31, 2024 and $5,000 over a three-year period per Lateral Dispatcher hired August 1, 2021 through July 31, 2024. Based on the proposed commencement date of the incentive, no incentives will be paid in the current fiscal year. Incentives will be budgeted in subsequent years based on hiring activity. Prepared by: Reviewed and Approved: Talika M. Johnson Mike Bertlesen Director of Administrative Services Chief of Police Reviewed and Approved: Sergio Gonzalez City Manager Attachment: 1. Resolution No. 2021-C36 establishing a Lateral Police Officer and Lateral Dispatcher Recruitment Incentive Pilot Program RESOLUTION NO. 2021-C36 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF AZUSA ESTABLISHING A LATERAL POLICE OFFICER AND LATERAL DISPATCHER RECRUITMENT INCENTIVE PILOT PROGRAM WHEREAS, the City of Azusa currently has significant vacancies within the Police Department; and WHEREAS, the recruitment of Police Officers and Police Dispatchers has become highly competitive as law enforcement agencies throughout Southern California are competing for the same applicants; and WEHEREAS, Laterals are current police officers and police dispatchers at other law enforcement agencies who may be interested in seeking employment at a different agency; and WHEREAS, Lateral Police Officers and Dispatchers bring training and experience, and can be deployed into the field much more quickly than pre-service (Trainee) officers can; and WHEREAS, in order to increase the City's attractiveness to potential Lateral Police Officers and Police Dispatchers, the Police Department and Human Resources have worked together to develop a pilot program to provide new Lateral Police Officers and Dispatchers with a recruitment bonus. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council of the City of Azusa does hereby: Section 1. Establish a three-year Lateral Police Officer and Lateral Police Dispatcher Recruitment Incentive Pilot Program. The pilot program will be for three years, commencing August 1, 2021 through July 31, 2024, and then will be brought back to Council for review and discussion of continuing or discontinuing. Section 2. New Lateral Police Officers officially offered a full-time position with the City between August 1, 2021 through July 31, 2024 would be eligible for a $15,000 bonus, paid in two installments. The first payment will be $7,500 upon successful completion of the required 12-month probationary employment period, and the second $7,500 at 36-months of consecutive employment. Section 3. New Lateral Dispatchers officially offered a full-time position with the City between August 1, 2021 through July 31, 2024 would be eligible for a $5,000 bonus, paid in two installments. The first payment will be $2,500 upon successful completion of the required 12-month probationary employment period, and the second $2,500 at 36-months of consecutive employment. Section 4. Payments of the recruitment bonuses shall be a lump sum, will be processed through the normal payroll process and shall be considered taxable income subject to Attachment 1 withholding. Submission of a Personnel Action Form (PAF) from the Police Department in accordance with the City’s normal payroll cycle will determine date of payment of the bonus. Submission of the PAF should occur no later than one week following the 12 and 36 months anniversary date. ADOPTED AND APPROVED this 19th day of July, 2021. Robert Gonzales, Mayor I HEREBY CERTIFY that the foregoing resolution was duly adopted by the City Council of the City of Azusa at a regular meeting thereof, held on the 19th day of July, 2021. AYES: BOARD/COUNCIL MEMBERS: NOES: BOARD/ COUNCIL MEMBERS: ABSTAIN: BOARD/COUNCIL MEMBERS: ABSENT: BOARD/COUNCIL MEMBERS: Jeffery A. Cornejo Jr., City Clerk