SUBJECT/RECOMMENDATION:
Title
Authorize a purchase order with St. Petersburg College for the Clearwater Police Department and Clearwater Fire Rescue for police academy sponsorships, paramedic training program, and ongoing advanced training for existing personnel in the amount of $160,000.00, pursuant to Clearwater Code of Ordinances Section 2.563(1)(f), Professional Services not subject to CCNA (academics), and authorize the appropriate officials to execute same. (consent)
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SUMMARY:
In recent years, the effort to recruit and hire quality police officer candidates has become increasingly competitive. In response, the Clearwater Police Department has made various efforts towards this challenge to include offering police academy sponsorships to new officer candidates. This has become a common practice with other local law enforcement agencies and is critical for the police department to continue the same practice. In FY23, the agency sponsored ten cadets. In FY24, the agency sponsored 11 cadets. In FY25, the agency estimates sponsoring up to 16 cadets.
The police academy is offered through the Southeastern Public Safety Institute (SEPSI) at St. Petersburg College. The academy is a 22-week, 790-hours, program that includes classroom and practical scenario-based instruction in criminal law, investigations, interviewing, report writing, traffic stops, defensive tactics, firearms, driving, and de-escalation techniques. The police academy will properly prepare cadets to then enter an additional 20-week training program provided by the police department to ensure their readiness to adequately serve and protect the citizens, visitors, and business owners within the City of Clearwater and meet the dynamic challenges of being a police officer.
Academy sponsorships are $5,000.00 for each cadet and would equate to $80,000.00 for 16 estimated sponsorships. An additional $20,000.00 is estimated for advanced training for current officers to keep up with the newest trends in high liability areas as well as get specific training for positions to include instructors, detective, community policing, supervisor and many others.
Clearwater Fire Rescue is requesting $42,000.00 to sponsor eight new EMTs in FY25 to attend paramedic school at St. Petersburg College in response to the critical need for qualified paramedics in our community. The paramedic school program spans three semesters, including Paramedic I, Paramedic II, and Paramedic III. Throughout this comprehensive training, students will undergo essential hands-on clinical experiences both in the hospital and in the field. This hands-on approach ensures a well-rounded education, preparing our personnel to meet the dynamic challenges of emergency medical services. An additional $18,000.00 is estimated for advanced training for current Firefighters and EMTs to keep up with newest trends in the field.
Clearwater is known throughout the area as providing exceptional training for their officers and firefighters. Supporting this training will help to maintain our high levels of professionalism, knowledge and superior public service.
APPROPRIATION CODE AND AMOUNT:
Funding for this purchase order was anticipated and is available through the Police Recruitment special program (99279) for police academy sponsorships; Police Department operating budget cost code 557300 (training) for ongoing advance training; and the Clearwater Fire & Rescue operating budget cost code 557300 (training).
The budget for operations of the Police Department, Fire Department, associated special programs are funded by General Fund revenues.
STRATEGIC PRIORITY:
We encourage professional development through employee educational opportunities, skills-based training, and leadership succession planning.
