Advantages: Recruitment and Retention. Down Time: Officers are - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

T AKE HOME VEHICLES FOR BEECH MOUNTAIN P OLICE DEPARTMENT

The pros and cons of a police take home vehicle program vary depending on a jurisdictions program finances, local political and community objectives, and the operational needs of the department. Advantages: Recruitment and Retention. Down Time: Officers are found to report car problems much earlier in take home cars thereby reducing the extended down time periods for major repairs. Vehicle Longevity: Agencies report single-user vehicles last longer with an average life span around 5 to 8 years. Emergency Response: Incidents requiring urgent response from off-duty officers have enjoyed a quicker response by using emergency equipment.(Blue light, Siren) Officer Morale: Officers take pride in the condition and appearance of their own cars and equipment. Liability does not change and insurance costs remain the same.

DISADVANTAGES Take-home vehicles increase operating costs and capital replacement expenditures. The argument is that taking a vehicle home reduces the economic life of a vehicle. If it is driven 20 percent for take-home use, a vehicle’s business life is reduced by one-fifth, and must be replaced earlier than the same vehicle not being driven home. Misuse of a take-home vehicle can result in noncompliance with federal tax requirements. Fringe benefits, such as use of a vehicle for commuting purposes or medical benefits, may be considered a form of pay. (The proposed policy does not permit personal use of vehicle other than to and from home.)

A NALYSIS OF COST TO TRAIN AND RETAIN OFFICERS

COST OF EQUIPPING AND TRAINING AN OFFICER FOR DUTY(Average) Item Cost Amount Totals Uniform Shirt S/S 34.99 2 69.98 Shirt L/S 39.99 2 79.98 Pants 49.67 3 149.01 Shoes 95.99 1 95.99 Winter Boots 147.41 1 147.41 Coat 249.00 1 249.00 Class A Uniform Shirt 39.00 1 39.00 Pants 46.00 1 46.00 Hat 35.99 1 35.99 Shoes 73.00 1 73.00 Duty Gear Belt 28.00 1 28.00 Holster 124.99 1 124.99 Glock 600.00 1 600.00 Hand Cuff 45.99 1 45.99 Cuff Case 33.99 1 33.99 Pepper Spray 25.00 1 25.00 Spray Case 21.69 1 21.69 Flash Light 132.99 1 132.99 Holder 25.00 1 25.00 Taser 900.00 1 900.00 Glove Pouch 17.00 1 17.00 Keepers 7.99 4 31.96 Vest 1,000.00 1 1,000.00 Radio 1,800.00 1 1,800.00 Body Camera 600.00 1 600.00 Physc Examination 600.00 1 600.00 *Ammo for 1 Year Qualification 275.00 1 275.00 Totals 7,246.97 Training 9,000.00 Approximate Total Cost $16,000.00

Field Training Field training (FT), usually last 12 weeks, depending on the individual. If an officer comes on that has previous training, his FT may only last two weeks. An officer that comes straight from the Academy will, on the average, take 12 to 16 weeks to properly train. Police officer one starting pay is $16.67 per hour 12 weeks = 480 hrs. X $16.67 = $8,001.60. Police officer two starting pay is $16.67 per hour 16 weeks = 640 hrs. X $16.67 = $10,668.80. The field training officer (FTO) is offered incentive pay that equals $100.00 every two weeks. 12 weeks of training, the FTO will earn $600.00 16 weeks of training, the FTO will earn $800.00

Year one – In the first year a new officer with no experience will need two basic classes to perform their duties, intoxilyzer and radar. Each class is 40 hours. Depending on the location of the classes the officer may need to be provided with meals, at the very least lunch. $12.00 X 5 days = $60.00 X 2 = $120.00 In service: 34 hrs. x $25.01 = $850.34 SFST School: 24 hrs. x $25.01 = $600.24 + meals. (depends on location) ASTD School: 16 hrs. x $25.01 = $400.16 + meals. (depends on location) Total: $1,850.74

Year two – In this year it is a good idea to get the new officer into what is called “Officer Survivor School” . This is a 40 hour class that entails many different types of training, including building searches, day and night. Shooting scenarios, in which air soft guns are used, to simulate real live situations, active school shooter, etc. Felony vehicle stops, hand cuffing techniques, among many other things. 24 hours in service plus 10 hours on the firing range. In-service: 34 hrs. x $25.01 = $850.34 Officer Survival: 40 hrs. x $16.67 = $666.80 ($667) + meals Total: $1,517.34

Year three – Intoxilyzer re certification, eight hours, this happens every two years. In this year the officer usually branches out and starts looking for and requesting training in other areas of law enforcement, that they may feel they want to excel at, and will benefit themselves, the department, and the Town of Beech Mountain. 24 hours in service plus 10 hours on the firing range. In-service: 34 hrs. x 25.01 = $850.34 Intox Recert: 16 hrs. x $25.01 = $400.16 + meals. (depends on location) Optional School: 40 hrs. x $16.67 = $666.80 ($667) + meals. (depends on location) Total: $1,917.50

Year four – Radar re certification, (every three years), 16 hours, usually has to travel out of county to take the state exam. Again, this year the officer will request training in their specific area of interest, this will benefit themselves, the department, and the Town of Beech Mountain. 24 hours in service plus 10 hours on the firing range. In service: 34 hrs. x $25.01 = $850.34 Radar Recert: 16 hrs. x $25.01 = $400.16 + meals. (depends on location) Optional School: 40 hrs. x $16.67 = $666.80 ($667) + meals (depends on location) Total: $1,917.50

Year five – At this point the officer has some experience under their belt and are ready for more advanced training. At year five, it is recommended by the Beech Mountain Police Department, the officer enroll in two specific classes. The first class, Police Law Institute, (PLI), this is for officers involved with enforcement activities associated with search warrants, warrantless searches, interviews, eyewitness identifications and non-testimonial identification orders and who are subject to potential legal liability resulting from those activities. This also covers case law, much more in depth than that of basic academy. This is an 80 hour class. The second class, Interview and Interrogation, the officer will learn techniques of listening and understanding body language to help them in their investigations of crimes. This is an 80 hour class. Both of these classes are taught through NC Justice Academy, the only expense here is the hourly wages, travel and meals. 24 hours in service plus 10 hours on the firing range. 4 In service: 34 hrs. x $25.01 = $850.34 PLI School: 80 hrs. x $16.67 = $1,333.60 + meals ($45 daily) = $450.00 Total: $1,783.60 I&I School: 80 hrs. x $16.67 = $1,333.60 + meals ($45 daily) = $450.00 Total: $1,783.60 Total: $4,417.54

SUMMARY OF COSTS FOR AN OFFICER FROM HIRE TO FIVE YEARS YEAR 1 $ 1,850.74 YEAR 2 $ 1,517.34 YEAR 3 $ 1,917.50 YEAR 4 $ 1,917.50 YEAR 5 $ 4,417.54 TOTAL FOR FIVE YEARS OF TRAINING $11,620.62

AREA AGENCY PRACTICES Take Home Agencies in Avery County Starting Salary Car Sheriff's Officer $ 31,300.00 Yes Banner Elk Police $ 34,663.00 No Sugar Mtn. Police $ 32,500.00 No Seven Devils Police $ 33,200.00 No Newland Police $ 33,280.00 No **Elk Park Police $ - No Beech Mountain Police $ 35,359.00 No Take Home Agencies in Watauga County Starting Salary Car Sheriff's Officer $37,290 to $46,613 Yes Boone Police $ 37,410.00 Yes ***Appalachian State Univ. Yes Blowing Rock Police $ 33,300.00 Yes **Elk Park – employees’ two part -time officers. 1) $28,800 2) $23,040. ***App State – The Chief and all investigators have take home vehicles .

MILEAGE FOR VEHICLES ON DUTY AND TO AND FROM HOME Patrol Mileage Average: 70 miles per day x 14 days = 980 miles a month x 12 months = 11,760 patrol miles a year. Mileage from Town Limits to Officers Residence: Total Miles for 8 Officers = 200 / 8 = 25 miles per day x 14 days = 350 miles in a month x 12 = 4,200 miles a year. Total Mileage for one vehicle a year: 15,960

CONCLUSIONS ADDITIONAL COST FUEL $1,998(Annual) 12.5% Increase in current fuel costs Current cost per gallon of gasoline $1.50 Maintenance 2016-17 $18,000 2017-18 $ 9,000 No increase in cost(Had anticipated reducing Before take home cars) 2018-19 $ 9,000 Hypothetical: Losing two officers with one year of experience every year $3,700. Keeping an officer for just two years would make this policy worth while. Actual loss this past year: Officer with two years of experience $ 3,368.08 Officer with three years of experience $ 5,285.58 Officer with five years of experience $11,620.62 Total cost of experience out the door: $20,274.28

QUESTIONS???????