CC Min 1997-10-13 Stdy - Laserfiche WebLink

Browse Search

and fresher cases. He said he disagreed with the study's approach to the Investigation Unit and said it wasn't as easy to quantify that unit as it was the Patrol unit. He described the types of crimes the Investigation Unit handles and said they owed it to the people of Redwood City to do more. In answer to Council questions regarding the work load being lessened by more Patrol officers, Captain Switzer said it could work both ways. More follow-up would help the Investigation Unit, but even with Patrol taking over Investigation of misdemeanors, Captain Switzer said the Investigation Unit would be at maximum capacity. Police Chief Bolanos said it was his expectation that more Patrol officers would result in more self-initiated activity, "try to stir up some leads on criminal activity which would result in arrests which may result in follow up. More officers out there... would create a ripple effect. More officers, more arrests means more Investigation work." Mr. Heiss confirmed Council's comments on the difficulty of measurements and averages because they do not reflect the unique characteristics and demands of a particular community. He agreed wholeheartedly that it was rare for a Department or a City to do the kind of study that he and the City had just completed. Mr. Heiss said the 35% and 45% proactive time level was supported by research and time, and most other Police Chiefs are trying to target that range. Mr. Heiss said there is no fundamental disagreement regarding the Investigation Unit. He said unlike Patrol there is no formula to apply here, but they tried to study it with a test of reason perspective. Not just based on comparison which was a piece of it, but the data in the Report is in fact correct. He said they revisited the subject jurisdictions to make sure the numbers were right, and he believed they presented a reasonable picture. He said some Departments do not assign misdemeanors to investigators, and there were other differences that had to be considered. Mr. Heiss said taking all that into consideration, they recommended addressing the needs of Patrol first. Study the impact of that action, and if the case loads continue and are not positively impacted by increased Patrol Officers, then as a second step, expand the Investigation Unit. He said it was a policy and priority issue that should be accomplished through a step by step process. Officer Sheffield asked Council to direct the consultants to work with the Department and go back and review the data they used to establish their traffic staffing recommendations. Police Chief Bolanos said, in sununary, the Redwood City Police Department strives to provide an exceptional level of service to the community and has been able to do that. He said his line personnel had felt stress and pressure of working at a level SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING MINUTE BOOK NO. 55 OCTOBER 13, 1997 MINUTES Page No. 576 PAGE IS