MEETING DATE
6/25/2015 |
BUREAU SUBMITTING THIS REPORT
Executive Office |
RESEARCHED BY (PRINT NAME)
Stephanie Scofield |
REVIEWED BY (PRINT NAME)
Alan Deal and Janice Bullard |
REPORT DATE
06/09/2015 |
APPROVED BY
Robert A. Stresak |
DATE APPROVED
06/10/15 |
PURPOSE
Information Only |
FINANCIAL IMPACT
No
|
| ISSUE: |
| This is an informational report on the study of the feasibility of instituting fees 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.
The Governor's FY 2015-16 Budget May Revision further reduces the Commission's authorized expenditures by $5.2 million.
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.
At the February 2015 meeting, the Commission authorized a study to exam the feasibility of instituting fees for some products and services. |
| ANALYSIS: |
The feasibility study focuses on four main products provided by POST:
1. The 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. The 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.
4. POST Professional Certificates: these certificates are issued to law enforcement personnel who achieve increasingly higher levels of experience, education and training in pursuit of professional excellence. These include the Intermediate, Supervisory, Management, and Executive level certificates.
Staff conducted an analysis as to the cost to POST for these products. A price range was calculated based on this cost as well as potential fees to POST when examining payment methods. POST currently only accepts checks and the expansion to allow agencies to use credit cards must be considered. Potential price ranges are as follows:
1. The POST Entry Level Law Enforcement Test Battery (PELLETB): $3.00 - $5.00.
2. The POST Entry Level Dispatcher Selection Test Battery: $3.00 - $5.00
3. POST Background Investigation Tabs: $8.00 - $10.00
4. POST Professional Certificates: $20.00 - $30.00
Two surveys were drafted to seek input from law enforcement stakeholders. Input was sought from all law enforcement agencies in the POST program as well as Basic Academies and Modular Format Presenters. A 9 question survey was sent to all law enforcement agencies in the POST program (see Attachment A). The law enforcement agencies use all four products listed above. A 6 question survey was sent to all Basic Academies and Modular Format Presenters (See Attachment B). Some of these stakeholders administer the peace officer and dispatcher entry level exam.
A total of 595 surveys were sent to agencies and as of this report POST has only received 89 responses (15%). A total of 104 surveys were sent to Academies and Modular Format presenters and POST has received 24 responses (23%). Electronic and verbal reminders will continue in efforts to increase the response.
This remains a multifaceted project. While a fee based structure is being assessed, staff is also working to further technology and automate some POST products which may impact overall cost. Staff is also assessing viable ideas received identified in the surveys and remains cautious and conscientious of the impact to law enforcement stakeholders when considering a fee based structure.
The Commission will continue to be apprised of staff progress regarding the implementation of a fee based structure for POST products. |
| RECOMMENDATION: |
| This report is presented for information only, no action is required. |
|