cover
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 thr...
Click here for full text