MEETING DATE
2/19/2015 |
BUREAU SUBMITTING THIS REPORT
Executive Office |
RESEARCHED BY (PRINT NAME)
Stephanie Scofield |
REVIEWED BY (PRINT NAME)
Janice Bullard |
REPORT DATE
01/13/2015 |
APPROVED BY
Robert A. Stresak |
DATE APPROVED
01/26/15 |
PURPOSE
Decision Requested |
FINANCIAL IMPACT
Yes
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| ISSUE: |
| Should the Commission authorize the Executive Director to study the feasibility of instituting fees for POST participating agencies for some POST products and services? |
| BACKGROUND: |
POST receives its funding from the Peace Officers' Training Fund (POTF). Revenue distributed from the State Penalty Assessment Fund into the POTF has been steadily declining since 2008. Due to the declining revenue, the Commission approved, at it's October 2013 meeting an 18-month expenditure reduction plan in efforts to mitigate a potential $7.2 million deficit at the end of FY 2014-15.
For a POST participating agency, there are many products and services that have been historically free of charge to access. Staff has begun to analyze the concept of charging a fee for some of these products. POST incurs costs for these products and services, and in better economic times, could continue to absorb these costs in efforts to assist law enforcement agencies. It is now apparent, POST can no longer absorb these costs and the feasibility of fee based programs needs to be considered. |
| ANALYSIS: |
The list below comprises some POST products and services that are provided to post participating agencies free of charge:
1. POST Entry Level Law Enforcement Test Battery (PELLETB): This test is required to be administered to peace officer applicants pursuant to Commission Regulation 1951.
2. POST Entry Level Dispatcher Selection Test Battery: This test is required to be administered to public safety dispatcher applicants pursuant to Commission Regulation 1957.
3. POST Background Investigation Tabs: These tabs are used by agencies to organize a peace officer or dispatcher candidate's background investigation file. Each tab notates all required statutory and regulatory documents needed in the file and describes common errors to avoid. These tabs mirror a checklist used by POST staff to ensure agencies' compliance with background investigation requirements.
The PELLETB consists of a booklet and Scantron that is shipped to agencies. The approximate cost to POST of one test and Scantron is $3.00 and shipping costs vary by location. From 2012-2014 the average number of PELLETB tests processed was 28,432.
The Dispatcher Selection Test Battery consists of a booklet, CD, and Scantron that is shipped to agencies. The approximate cost to POST of one test and Scantron is $5.00 and shipping cost vary by location. From 2012-2014 the average number of Dispatcher tests processed was 7,629.
The POST Peace Officer and Dispatcher Background Investigation Tabs consist of a set of 15, 3 hole punched, 8 1/2 x 11, pre-printed, card stock, with color tabs. The cost to POST to produce a set of tabs is $7.69 excluding shipping costs. From 2012-2014 agencies requested a total of 25,000 peace officer and dispatcher tabs. A current fee of $2.69 for the tabs is charged to agencies not in the POST program and private investigators who conduct law enforcement background investigations.
Other POST products and services that could be considered in this study are:
1. Opening the Sherman Block Supervisory Leadership Institute courses to qualified out-of state candidates and charging a non-reimbursable tuition.
2. Charging participating agencies for staff to conduct agency studies to include organizational, property and evidence room reviews and workload analysis.
3. Charging for POST professional certificates (e.g., basic, intermediate, advanced certificates).
4. Charging a one-time sign up fee to access the POST Learning Portal.
5. Charging a fee to certify training courses for private vendors.
The feasibility study would examine the concept of assessing a fee for POST products and services that would cover the cost POST incurs for these services. Once the study is completed, it would be presented to the Commission for final approval.
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| RECOMMENDATION: |
| Staff recommends the Commission authorize the Executive Director to study the feasibility of instituting fees for some POST products and services. |
| ATTACHMENT(S): |
| Name: |
Type: |
| No Attachments Available |
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