Boise Police 2 1 05

Boise Police Local #486: 

Boise Police Local #486 Presentation to Boise City Council February 1, 2005

Presentation Objectives: 

Presentation Objectives Help the Mayor, City Council, and negotiating team understand the union’s perspective on compensation issues Demonstrate that the current police force is highly productive, efficient, and self-motivated Provide evidence of the value-added that comes with a respected police force Show that the City of Boise has the ability to fund more appropriate wage increases

Boise and its Five Peers: 

The five cities used in the search for the new police chief all have about the same population. Boise and its Five Peers

Boise Police Show Measurable Results: 

The six cities have very different crime rates, with Boise the lowest in both categories. Boise Police Show Measurable Results The five peer cities average 226% of Boise’s violent crime rate, and 167% of Boise’s property crime rate.

Boise Police are productive!: 

The low crime rates are accomplished with a low number of officers per 1,000 population. Only Eugene has a lower ratio. Boise Police are productive! Idaho Average = 1.8 officers/1,000 U.S. Average = 2.3 officers/1,000

These low staffing rates have been falling for some time…: 

These low staffing rates have been falling for some time…

City-Initiated Annexations seem to exacerbate staffing shortfalls: 

City-Initiated Annexations seem to exacerbate staffing shortfalls City-driven annexations are much larger Example – Victory Rd adds 5,040 population, larger than most Idaho towns, requiring 6-7 new officers 13-25 month lag to receive property tax revenues, longer for sales tax sharing Authorization & hiring of new police may lag more Service requests begin immediately Police carry the burden of annexation

Boise Police are Underpaid: 

The low crime rates are also accomplished with low salaries. Boise has the second lowest pay rate. Boise Police are Underpaid

Boise Police Base Pay Lags Peer Cities by 6%: 

Boise Police Base Pay Lags Peer Cities by 6%

Salt Lake has lower pay, but it has the highest number of officers.: 

Salt Lake has lower pay, but it has the highest number of officers.

And crime rates in Salt Lake are twice that of Boise.: 

And crime rates in Salt Lake are twice that of Boise.

Three of Boise’s peer cities have a higher cost of living and two lower.: 

Three of Boise’s peer cities have a higher cost of living and two lower.

Lower Pay Rates and Rising Housing Costs Make Officer Residence in Boise More Difficult: 

Lower Pay Rates and Rising Housing Costs Make Officer Residence in Boise More Difficult

Meanwhile, Boise Executive salaries have risen several times faster than police pay…: 

Meanwhile, Boise Executive salaries have risen several times faster than police pay…

Conclusion:: 

Conclusion: While the cost of living is about the same in Boise as in the five peer cities, Crime rates are significantly lower, With fewer officers per population, And at a lower pay rate. A Productive, Effective Police Department Deserves Better!

Boise has offered all its employees a 2.25% cost of living pay increase. : 

Boise has offered all its employees a 2.25% cost of living pay increase. Do Police Officers deserve more?

Community-Oriented PolicingContributes a Large Part of Boise’s Success: 

Community-Oriented Policing Contributes a Large Part of Boise’s Success The success of community policing relies in turn on the volunteer efforts of its police officers. Much of the City’s coverage of police in annual reports, budget documents, and web site focuses on these volunteer successes Let’s take a look at what police officers are contributing of their own volition during their free time…

Police Activities League (PAL): 

Police Activities League (PAL) Raft Along features 65 officers and over 700 kids Raft Along may be the biggest kids river float in the country. Now in its 7th year, with Cascade Raft Co and several other outfitter and businesses contributing.

PAL Continued: 

PAL Continued Pack Along is a more intensive 3-day horsepack for at-risk youth, in its 6th year Hook A Kid on Golf conducts 4 clinics at Falcon Crest for over 150 youth

PAL Continued: 

PAL Continued SWAT Challenge pits officers against over 300 high school students in friendly competition… Building connections along with healthy bodies Youth Hunter Program is new in 2005 & will mentor children of single parents in firearms and archery training and hunter ed Mike Perkins leads all these program

PAL Racing Program: 

PAL Racing Program Started by PAYADA 11 years ago Led by Officer Greg Eisenbeiss 2 cars compete against kids at Firebird and elsewhere Events include Jet Wars, High School Drags, and the Halloween Classic Displayed at local parades, fairs, and events Anti-drug & safe racing message carried to thousands each year

PAL Jonny Law Rock Band: 

PAL Jonny Law Rock Band Officer Kent Lipple and his band take a variety of “Healthy Choices” messages to school assemblies and events. They reach over 6,000 kids each year.

PAL Bigs & Blues: 

PAL Bigs & Blues Links Boise Police with 50+ kids on Big Brothers/Sisters waiting list Organized outings to Steelheads & Hawks games, Roaring Springs, Boondocks, Pojos and others Charity B-ball and bowling raise $ for programs Officer Jermaine Galloway leads 30 volunteer officers in this mentoring program

That’s not all…: 

That’s not all… Boise Police Association Shop with A Cop – 30-50 officers help 60-120 at-risk kids buy presents for their families, $10-17,000 raised each year, Officer Dave Smith leads BPD Fishing Tournament – Officers donate $1,000 for this event featuring about 15 officers and 50 kids BPD/BFD “Guns & Hoses” charity hockey game raised $1,500 for local MADD chapter Mark Stall Golf Tournament raised $6,000 for scholarships for families of deceased police/fire/paramedic officers

And Don’t Forget… : 

And Don’t Forget… Special Olympics--$15,000 helps 2,000 athletes, raised through a variety of events, including: Cops N Lobsters Applebee’s Tip-A-Cop Law Enforcement Torch Run Parent Project- Resource Officer Dick Baranco offers parenting classes through churches upon request Bicycle Program – Officer Alan Cavener buys bikes at city auctions, refurbishes and provides to kids, about 25 per year over last two years, self-funded Baker to Vegas Police Relay Run Womens Fitness Challenge Numerous other community functions, e.g. fingerprinting

Boise Police 2004 Volunteer Totals : 

Boise Police 2004 Volunteer Totals Over 300 officers involved About 3,600 hours of officer volunteer time Nearly 2,000 participants and thousands of spectators and affected families. Estimated $43,500 raised for charities, plus large corporate in-kind donations to sponsor events.

Key Policy Questions : 

Key Policy Questions To what extent are police volunteer programs critical to building community relationships, to promoting healthy youth life choices, to putting a human face on our police, and to the City’s success with community policing? Do any other city departments besides police and fire engage in this level of direct volunteering? What message are we sending police, via our pay policy, about our respect and appreciation for their community service? Where is the “tipping point” where our pay policy begins to affect participation in volunteer, extra-curricular programs?

Other Reasons Police Deserve Special Treatment: 

Other Reasons Police Deserve Special Treatment Long training period (9-18 months) for sworn officers means the transactions costs of employee turnover are high. “Sworn Officers carry the burden of lethal force.” (Idaho Statesman) No winners in a Matthew Jones incident Officers can be plunged into life-ending decisions at any moment, even when off-duty The burden of past incidents is carried throughout life Officers at risk in a highly dangerous and stressful profession Families of officers carry these burdens as well Is Boise approaching a second “tipping point” with gang violence coming from the west?

Meet Some of Boise’s Unsung Heroes Who Risk Life & Limb: 

Meet Some of Boise’s Unsung Heroes Who Risk Life & Limb January 13, 2005 – Officer responds to shots fired call, suspect points gun at officer, officer fires and misses, after a lengthy standoff, suspect shoots himself November 30, 2004 – Suspect robs bank in SE Boise, shoots at an officer, holds an elderly couple at gunpoint until surrender Officer Tom Miotke Officer Brek Orton

Slide30: 

February 28, 2004 – Officer makes traffic stop, suspect pulls handgun and shoots officer 3 times, suspect later arrested January 30, 2004 – Officer accosted in parking lot, ends up fatally shooting suspect Officer Derek Whipps Officer Jeff Dustin

Slide31: 

April 9, 2003 – Multiple officers pursue two suspected armed robbers through town, are shot upon, and fatally shoot suspects on airport runway. January 22, 2003 – Officer responds to domestic violence call, suspect drives over curb to hit officer with car, officer shoots and wounds suspect. 14 additional incidents of aggravated assaults on officers in recent years. And don’t forget numerous accidents and minor injuries incurred during pursuits, breaking up public and domestic disturbances, drug busts, and generally keeping the peace. Officer Todd Ducharme

But can the city afford to pay wages commensurate with the service and productivity they are getting from their police force?: 

But can the city afford to pay wages commensurate with the service and productivity they are getting from their police force?

How Much Revenue is Needed?: 

How Much Revenue is Needed? 1% raise for Police costs $179,000 City offered 2.25%, budgeting $595,000, retroactive to 4/1/2004 Union seeks 4%, an increase of 1.75% Requires $313,000 more for FY2005 Or $470,000 more to 4/1/2004 Here are 3 ways to cover this added cost…

A Word about Revenue Projections…: 

A Word about Revenue Projections… City versus State

Option 1: Increase Sales Tax Projection: 

Option 1: Increase Sales Tax Projection City projected 2.5% gain for FY2004 Came in at 6.1% FY04 actual >FY05 p Current projections FY2005 = -.6% FY2006 = 3.5% 11% growth in Boise’s last two quarterly payments

Let’s Get More Realistic!: 

Let’s Get More Realistic! State projects 7.7% and 4.3% increase in state sales tax revenue sharing Based on econometric model of state’s economy; actuals exceeding these forecasts Even at 2/3 of state increase (5%,3%), $600,000 new revenues can be budgeted

Option 2: Boise Can Obtain Sales Tax Revenue-Sharing Gain from Population Adjustment: 

Option 2: Boise Can Obtain Sales Tax Revenue-Sharing Gain from Population Adjustment COMPASS estimate for 2003 = 195,913 (200,062 in 2004) Census estimate for 2003 = 190,117 Uncounted population = 5,796 Sales Tax Revenue Sharing Per capita based on Oct 2004 = $27.75 Potential Revenue Sharing gain = 5,796 x $27.75 = $160,839 Boise needs to proactively seek annexation gains from Census, otherwise wait til 2011

Option 3: Revise Spending Priorities: 

Option 3: Revise Spending Priorities Budget is the City’s best expression of policy. Priorities can and do change. Example: Repair & Maintenance Backlog $3.75 million arbitrarily spread over 3 years Mayor just recommended additional $1 M in FY04 and $750K in FY05. Most of the improvements are for parks. A Reallocation to police salaries is within City Council’s grasp…

Conclusion: 

Conclusion City added to decisionmaker skill set in areas of finance and policy, but what about personnel management? What is meta message inside actions like: Lower pay for superior crime rates to peer cities Low authorized staffing levels and many unfilled positions Police being stretched to cover annexed areas Excessive executive pay increases City claims credit for police volunteer work, but hires outside labor negotiator for $37,000 City goes outside successful force for new chief How high a city policy priority is public safety? Is a fight for $470,000 (you already have available to you) in Boise’s best interests?

Slide40: 

Note: The rate is calculated by dividing the number of sworn police officers by the total population. It is presented on a "per 1,000" basis. Sworn officers meet the following criteria: they are working in an official capacity, they have full arrest powers, they wear a badge (ordinarily), they carry a firearm (ordinarily), and they are paid from governmental funds set aside specifically for payment of sworn law enforcement respresentatives. Some counties did not report their numbers for the year. 2001 and 2002 estimates of total population have been updated per the Census Bureau's updates. NA = Not Reported or Not Available. Source: 1997-2002: Federal Bureau of Investigation, Uniform Crime Reports, (http://www.fbi.gov/ucr/ucr.htm)