cover
TO: Mayor Richard C. Irvin
FROM: Commander Steve Stemmet
DATE: March 17, 2022
SUBJECT:
Resolution ratifying payments in the amount of $12,952.40 and approving estimated payments in the amount of $52,952 to Richland Community College for police recruit training, lodging, and meals in 2022.
PURPOSE:
Approval of payments required to send police recruits through the Macon County Law Enforcement Training Center, a partnership with Richland 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 basic academy training from state funds directly to the academy. In January 2020, cities across Illinois were informed training would have to be paid for by the cities, with the possibility of future reimbursement by the state. This reimbursement could be in full or partial payment, depending on state funds. Prior to 2020, the City typically paid $330 per recruit, which covered wearables and OC Spray training, while the State covered the remaining balance.
In 2022, the current cost per recruit, including room and board, wearables, and OC Spray training are approximately $6,619.
DISCUSSION:
The primary purpose of the police academy is to prepare new officers for a career in law enforcement. The Academy provides basic training for recruits to become certified Illinois law enforcement officers. To become certified, recruits must attend and successfully complete a 560-hour (14 week) comprehensive training course. The police department has been using the Macon County Law Enforcement Training Center for approximately three years. Other academies have failed to meet our standards or have been unable to grant us the number of slots needed to train our recruits annually.
Ratification is requested for the first recruit academy of 2022 in the total amount of $12,952.40. Two police recruits are in the first session from January 9th, 2022 to April 15th, 2022.
Approval is requested for the remainder of 2022 for which the police department anticipates sending eight recruits to the basic academy training beginning on August 14th, 2022 and graduation on November 18th, 2022.
The total amount to send eight recruits to the academy is approximately $52,952.
$464,000 was budgeted for 2022 in 101-3536-421.42-48 to pay for basic academy training and lateral hire bonuses.
In 2021, the police department began hiring experienced lateral officers from other police departments to address staffing shortages, and better retain new officers that do not meet training standards after hire. Lateral hires have proven successful as we are able to train them faster and we do not experience the same rate of turnover that we do with new recruits. Lateral officers are currently paid a $20,000 hiring stipend as an incentive. Our first group of lateral hires were onboarded in October 2021. The police department anticipates hiring 12 additional lateral hire applicants in April 2022. Bonuses for that group would total $240,000. We still look to bring on new officers from our civil service eligibility list to create a balance and give opportunity. Assuming we can send eight officers to the Academy in August, it would cost approximately $52,952 in addition to the two recruits that are in the first session ($12,952.40). Our total budgeted amount for 2022 covers these expenses.
IMPACT STATEMENT:
If the basic academy training costs are not approved, it will prevent us from maintaining police staffing levels and negatively impact public safety.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
Authorization of the ratification and approval of recruit training expense for a total amount of $65,904.40 for the calendar year 2022.
cc: Finance Committee
CITY OF AURORA, ILLINOIS
RESOLUTION NO. _________
DATE OF PASSAGE ________________
title
A Resolution ratifying payments in the amount of $12,952.40 and approving estimated payments in the amount of $52,952 to Richland Community College for police recruit training, lodging, and meals in 2022.
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, Macon County Law Enforcement Training Center for police recruit training; and
WHEREAS, The Aurora Police Department has been utilizing the Macon County Law Enforcement Training Center for approximately three years; and
WHEREAS, The City of Aurora needs to have new recruits trained at the police academy before they are assigned to patrol the streets of Aurora, IL; and
WHEREAS, funding for basic academy training is budgeted for 2022 in 101-3536-421.42-48.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Aurora, Illinois, as follows: ratifies the payment of $12,952.40 and approves additional payments of $52,952 to Richland Community College, Macon County Law Enforcement Training Center for police recruit training, lodging and meals in 2022, and authorizing the Chief Financial Officer to execute the necessary orders to complete.