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TO: Mayor Richard C. Irvin
FROM: Martin S. Lyons, Chief Financial Officer
DATE: September 4, 2020
SUBJECT:
Resolution ratifying payment in the amount of $42,849.75 and approving additional payments of $105,715.00 to Richland Community College for police recruit training, lodging and meals in 2020.
PURPOSE:
Approval of payments required to send police recruits through the Macon County Law Enforcement Training Center, a partnership with Richmond Community College and the Illinois Law Enforcement Training and Standards Board. This includes wearables (uniforms/PT Set), OC Spray training, classroom/online training, lodging, and meals.
BACKGROUND:
Prior to 2020, the State of Illinois would reimburse the police officer academy training from state funds. In January, cities across Illinois were informed training would have to be paid for by the cities. This was a shock to us and many others across the state. The 2020 total training cost per recruit is $6,607.00. The City has typically paid $330 per recruit, which covered the wearables and OC spray.
DISCUSSION:
The primary purpose of the police academy is to prepare new officers for a career in law enforcement. The Academy provides training for Cadets (future ISP officers) and Recruits (future local law enforcement officers). Cadet Classes run 26 weeks. Since the current facility opened its doors in 1968, the Academy has trained more than 7,000 Cadets. Recruit basic training began at the Academy in October 1976. Since then, the Academy provided instruction for 21 258-hour Recruit basic training classes. Today, Recruit basic training is a 560-hour (14 weeks) comprehensive training course. More than 5,000 Recruits have graduated from the Academy and are pursuing their police careers throughout the state.
Ratification is requested for the first recruit academy of 2020 in the total amount of $42,849.75. Seven recruits were in the session that was interrupted by COVID, therefore ran from January 12, 2020 thru Friday, April 17, 2020.
Approval is requested for the remainder of 2020 for which includes two sessions:
12 recruits in session beginning July 2020
4 recruits in the session beginning September 2020
The total for the 16 recruits for the remaining 2020 calendar is $105,712.00
$24,000 was budgeted for 2020 in 101-3536-421.42-48 Travel & Profess/ Educ/ Trn- Police New/Basic. A budget transfer will be completed for the remaining $124,561.75. Total Funding will be provided from:
101-3536-421.42-48 $24,000
101-3536-421.42-49 $15,000
101-3536-421.42-01 $110,000
IMPACT STATEMENT:
If the academy training costs are not approved, we will not be able to replace any of the officers retiring.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
Authorization of the ratification and approval of recruit training expense for a total amount of 148,561.75 for the calendar year 2020.
cc: Finance Committee
CITY OF AURORA, ILLINOIS
RESOLUTION NO. _________
DATE OF PASSAGE ________________
title
A Resolution ratifying payment in the amount of $42,849.75 and approving additional payments of $105,715.00 to Richland Community College for police recruit training, lodging and meals in 2020.
body
WHEREAS, the City of Aurora has a population of more than 25,000 persons and is, therefore, a home rule unit under subsection (a) of Section 6 of Article VII of the Illinois Constitution of 1970; and
WHEREAS, subject to said Section, a home rule unit may exercise any power and perform any function pertaining to its government and affairs for the protection of the public health, safety, morals, and welfare; and
WHEREAS, The State of Illinois has stopped reimbursing the Richland Community College for police recruit training; and
WHEREAS, The police academy has been providing training since 1968; and
WHEREAS, The City of Aurora needs to have new recruits trained at the police academy before they are assigned to the streets of Aurora, IL; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Aurora, Illinois, as follows: ratification of payment in the amount of $42,849.75 and approving additional payments of $105,715.00 to Richland Community College for police recruit training, lodging and meals in 2020, and authorizing the Chief Financial Officer to execute the necessary orders to complete.