Okaloosa County BOCC — December 31, 2012 — reading text

Advertising Services Contract)  6.7.c.b Packet Pg. 293 Attachment: Romjue Oct-Nov Advertising Invoice & Contract Payment form (1107 : Approval of Media Buying and Advertising Services Contract)  6.7.c.b Packet Pg. 294 Attachment: Romjue Oct-Nov Advertising Invoice & Contract Payment form (1107 : Approval of Media Buying and Advertising Services Contract)  6.7.c.b Packet Pg. 295 Attachment: Romjue Oct-Nov Advertising Invoice & Contract Payment form (1107 : Approval of Media Buying and Advertising Services Contract)  6.7.c.b Packet Pg. 296 Attachment: Romjue Oct-Nov Advertising Invoice & Contract Payment form (1107 : Approval of Media Buying and Advertising Services Contract)  6.7.c.b Packet Pg. 297 Attachment: Romjue Oct-Nov Advertising Invoice & Contract Payment form (1107 : Approval of Media Buying and Advertising Services Contract)  6.7.c.b Packet Pg. 298 Attachment: Romjue Oct-Nov Advertising Invoice & Contract Payment form (1107 : Approval of Media Buying and Advertising Services Contract)  6.7.c.b Packet Pg. 299 Attachment: Romjue Oct-Nov Advertising Invoice & Contract Payment form (1107 : Approval of Media Buying and Advertising Services Contract)  6.7.c.b Packet Pg. 300 Attachment: Romjue Oct-Nov Advertising Invoice & Contract Payment form (1107 : Approval of Media Buying and Advertising Services Contract)  6.7.c.c Packet Pg. 301 Attachment: Romjue Contract Close out form (1107 : Approval of Media Buying and Advertising Services Contract)  6.7.d BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS AGENDA REQUEST DATE: December 4, 2012 TO: Honorable Chairman and Members of the Board FROM: Greg Donovan SUBJECT: Airport Police Accreditation and Reserve Officer Program DEPARTMENT: Airport BCC DISTRICT: All STATEMENT OF ISSUE: The Airports Department is seeking BCC concurrence with admission of the airport police division into the state accreditation program and for the department to establish a reserve airport police officer program. BACKGROUND: Establishment of the airport police division for Okaloosa County's three airports occurred seven months ago. During this period, Standard Operating Procedures, policies and law enforcement specific protocols have been established. Procedural structure has been applied to "real world" emergencies that have entailed medical situations, criminal activities requiring arrest, investigations, and other public safety responsibilities. In an effort to continue professional development, further proficiency levels, and formalize best practices learned from other law enforcement agencies, airport staff is requesting permission to enter into the state accreditation program, specifically through the Commission for Florida Accreditation (CFA). The goal is to obtain this designation within one year. The program would require hiring a temporary full-time employee to serve as accreditation manager. The cost is expected to be +/- $40,000.00 and would be funded by the airport's operational budget. The BCC is also asked to approve the establishment of a reserve airport police officer program. With coordination from HR, a total of ten sworn law enforcement officers would be recruited, trained, and would serve as a scheduling back-up for full-time personnel. This personnel augmentation would be utilized during emergencies, weather events, and for schedule coverage during training. Initial training and equipment expenses would be between $1,500 to $2,500 per reserve officer. The standard hourly rate of an airport police officer of $14.13 per hour would be applicable when a reserve officer is on-duty. Attached are white papers on both initiatives. Packet Pg. 302  6.7.d OPTIONS: Approve, reject, table. RECOMMENDATIONS: Airport staff recommends approval to enter into the CFA program and authorization to establish a reserve airport police officer program. RECOMMENDED BY: APPROVED BY: James D. Curry, County Administrator Packet Pg. 303  6.7.d.a Law enforcement agencies in the United States have long sought two things; a public perception that reflects their straightforward and honest approach to service, and the recognition of professionalism. This widespread desire inspired the establishment of a system in which a superior set of standards could measure law enforcement agencies in the United States, thus was the origination of the State (and nation) wide Law Enforcement Accreditation. The Commission for Florida Accreditation is a state-wide version of the national CALEA standard. Accreditation, a highly admirable title, is also an ongoing process whereby an Attachment: CFA request (1217 : Airport Police Accreditation and Reserve Officer Program) independent, authoritative body evaluates the policies and procedures of an accreditation- aspiring agency against the established criteria. The criteria, or standards, are policy development guidelines that hold the accredited agency at the highest level of execution and compliance for every facet within the unit. It’s a process which requires each sworn officer, and the individual whom is deemed the Accreditation Manager to submit full participation and determination well beyond the preparation period. The ultimate indicator of compliance is determined through an on-site evaluation by trained, independent inspectors via the Commission. Once approved, the agency’s State accreditation is valid for a three (3) year period, at which point a reaccreditation inspection may be performed. Throughout the three (3) year period it’s crucial that continually changing policies be updated and closely maintained, as not to avert from compliance standards. Statistically, most law enforcement agencies in the United States are small. According to the most recent Census conducted by the Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS), 50% of the 17,876 state and local law enforcement agencies in the country have 0-9 full-time sworn personnel, while 74% have 24 or fewer full-time sworn officers. Unfortunately, the vast majority of these agencies can boast neither the accreditation title, nor the dependable level of service that’s guaranteed to come with it. Aside from statistical data, Florida proves an ideal venue for small agencies to pursue such standards for political reasons as well. The local atmosphere is conducive to the acquisition of State accreditation due to the grass-roots manner in which the CFA was conceived. Both the Florida Sheriffs’ Association and the Florida Police Chiefs’ Association were involved in the early development of this venture, which undoubtedly supports its authenticity. The governmental support of its very foundation certainly lends to public trust, and more importantly; credibility. Benefits including, but not limited to; • Controlled liability insurance costs. State accredited departments can obtain and increase insurance more easily with lower premiums. • Support from government officials who gain confidence in the agency through their commitment to operating efficiently, as well as their public perception of doing so. • Fewer legal matters, as well as maximum defense against those brought on the agency. With iron clad policies married with well-trained employees, said agency is better Packet Pg. 304  6.7.d.a equipped to follow a clear path of protocol, in turn leaving no room for error upon being questioned. • More government opportunities. Accreditation opens a plethora of new grant opportunities, otherwise unavailable. This additional funding can provide the agency with the most the most current technological advances in the law enforcement realm thus gaining a higher level of preparedness. • Stricter accountability within the agency. The accreditation process provides for written directives, clearly defined lines of authority, and routine reports that support specific Attachment: CFA request (1217 : Airport Police Accreditation and Reserve Officer Program) protocol and resource allocation. This conduit of resources influences higher employee performance, and when lacking; the guarantee of precisely appropriate reprimands. • The assurance of a highly credible and motivated police department will win support from local businesses and the community who rely on them. It provides them with more confidence in the agency’s willingness to meet their needs, and their ability to do so. These are but a few of many reasons the Okaloosa County Airports Police has chosen to seek approval to pursue accreditation, and with successful completion of the accreditation program Okaloosa Airports would be Florida’s first CFA airport law enforcement agency. There are other larger Florida airports that are nationally accredited through CALEA. Currently there are two CFA accredited law enforcement agencies in Okaloosa County; Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office and Fort Walton Beach Police Department. We propose that our County’s airports police department become the next accredited law enforcement agency within the next year. Once accredited, our department will implement a host of operational standards considered the current “best practices” in the industry. By doing so, we will be enabled to combat crime more effectively, deliver services more efficiently, boost public support, and