HomeMy WebLinkAbout10.B.1. Promotion of Eighth Sergeant General Business 10. B. 1.
SHAKOPEE
TO: Mayor and City Council
Mark McNeill, City Administrator
FROM: Jeff Tate, Police Chief
DATE: 02/19/2013
SUBJECT: Promotion of Eighth Sergeant (E)
Action Sought
Council is asked to permanently promote an eighth sergeant position.
Background
As part of the 2007 budget process, the police department described the need for an eighth sergeant. This was based
largely on the findings of the Police Services Master Planning Task Force study of staffing levels and supervisory
span of control; subsequently, Council approved an additional eighth sergeant position for 2007.
The eighth sergeant position became vacant during the 2009 budget process. It was determined that not filling that
eighth sergeant position would provide a cost savings to the City. After careful analysis, police staff still believes the
eighth sergeant position is needed.
The department currently has six patrol sergeants and one detective sergeant. The six patrol sergeants are
responsible for covering the City twenty -four hours a day. In addition to supervising their patrol shifts, sergeants
are expected to flex their schedules in order to accommodate events in their beat, attend meetings, train, and
participate in various events in the community. Without an adequate supervisory staff, the multiple job roles and
responsibilities of the position create significant scheduling problems and coverage gaps. These gaps result in
overtime to cover shifts, or the shift simply works with no supervisor.
One of the most important roles a sergeant serves is that of quality control. Sergeants provide guidance and
oversight in the field. In 2012, the Shakopee Police Department handled 18,352 calls for service, which included
1,798 arrests. Each of these arrest reports required supervisory approval before it moved through the judicial
process. With the volume of reports and arrests coming in, we feel it is essential to have first -line supervision
around the clock as much as possible. Additionally, the times where there is often no supervisor on duty frequently
occur late at night and early in the morning. This is typically when officers are dealing with more violent, complex
calls for service.
The gaps in sergeant coverage do not provide the proper supervision and development needs of the employees
within the department, while managing the quality level of service that we need and want to provide to the members
of the community. The police department is not asking to add to our current sworn staff nor do we wish to back -fill
the patrol position. The sworn staff will remain at 47. The police department is asking to return to the same
supervisory staff level we had in 2007.
Budget Impact
The cost of promoting an eighth sergeant for the remainder of the year is $8,432. This cost would be absorbed in our
2013 budget from cost savings due to vacancies in both the police receptionist and crime prevention specialist
positions; thus, not affecting the 2013 budget. The cost for keeping the position in the 2014 budget is approximately
$8,601. The department feels strongly that this cost can be absorbed with more fuel efficient vehicles scheduled to
hit the street in 2014. Additionally, the department anticipates a slight reduction in our 2014 training budget, which
will more than cover the $8,601.00 for 2014.
Relationship to Vision
This item relates to Goal E: Deliver effective and efficient public services by a staff of well - trained, caring and
professional employees.
Impact on City Service Levels by Funding the Position
The approval of an eighth sergeant will allow the police department to close coverage gaps, avoid overtime costs
and maintain a high quality of service, consistent with the goals of the Police Services Master Planning Task Force.
Requested Action
If the council concurs, it is asked to make a motion authorizing the permanent promotion of an eighth sergeant,
effective February 25, 2013.
If approved, Council is asked to make an additional motion appointing Gary Kern to sergeant effective February 25,
2013, at Step 3 of the current labor contract for sergeants.
Attachments: