SUBJECT/RECOMMENDATION:
Title
Authorize the Police Department to implement a police officer Take Home Vehicle Program at the discretion of the Chief of Police and authorize the appropriate officials to execute same. (consent)
Body
SUMMARY:
The Clearwater Police Department seeks authorization to implement and maintain a Take Home Vehicle Program, whereby all sworn personnel are assigned a police vehicle and permitted to utilize the vehicle for the de minimis commute. The objectives of the program are:
• To provide enhanced police services and reduce time spent transitioning shifts.
• To provide for rapid mobilization of sworn personnel during emergency or disaster situations.
• Enhance the department’s ability to recruit the best qualified candidates and retain sworn personnel.
• To increase the visibility of marked police vehicles to deter crime and deter traffic violations.
• To decrease average vehicle operating costs through increased vehicle life and decreased maintenance repair costs.
• To increase the response time of sworn police officers when recalled to duty.
Sworn personnel that accept a take home vehicle and reside outside of a 15-mile radius from the Clearwater Police Department Main Station at 645 Pierce Street, shall reimburse the City of Clearwater for a portion of the commuting expense at a rate of $.29 per mile. The reimbursement must be paid through a payroll deduction.
For Fiscal Year 2018, the year to date total amount of reimbursement received through July 2018 is $26,721.
64% of sworn officers live within Pinellas County, 26% of sworn officers live in Pasco County, and 10% of sworn officers live in Hillsborough County.
APPROPRIATION CODE AND AMOUNT:
Authorization is not anticipated to have any budgetary impact on fuel costs, partially due to officers not picking up and dropping off patrol cars at the station, and the expenses would be offset by an increase in reimbursement revenues.