HomeMy WebLinkAboutStaff Report 5.D 01/04/2016DATE: January 4, 2016
Agenda Item #5.D
TO: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council through City Manager
FROM: Patrick Williams, Chief of Police
Dianne Dinsmore, Director of Human Resources
SUBJECT: Resolution Amending the Classification and Compensation Plan by Establishing
the Classification and Pay Range of Police Property Technician, Authorizing the
Position Allocation of one (1.0) FTE Police Property Technician, and Reducing
the one (1) FTE Evidence Technician position allocation to 0.5 FTE.
RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the City Council adopt a resolution amending the Classification and
Compensation Plan by establishing the classification and pay range of Police Property
Technician, authorizing the position allocation of one (1.0) FTE Police Property Technician, and
reducing the one (1) FTE Evidence Technician position allocation to 0.5 FTE.
BACKGROUND
The Police Department has historically had one job classification, Evidence Technician, which
included both the evidence collection/processing function and the property and evidence
management function. In practice, and in accordance with property and evidence handling
guidelines, these two functions have been performed by different people in different operational
units. This action formalizes this separation.
DISCUSSION
The California Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) Law Enforcement Evidence &
Property Management Guide (Guide) was developed as a resource for law enforcement agencies
and personnel, noting best practices and providing standardized guidelines for the various
aspects of the evidence and property function. The Guide recommends separation of the two
functions, as reflected in the following excerpt from the Guide:
"The evidence /property function should be separated from operational units. This separation
eliminates the potential conflict of interest between the personnel who collect evidence or
property and those who are charged with the responsibility of storing the evidence and property.
The agency will reduce its exposure by assigning the evidence and property function to an
administrative or support unit which provides a definitive separation from operational units such
as patrol or investigations. "
The Police Department's practice has followed POST guidelines. A full -time Evidence
Technician has performed the Property function and a part-time Evidence Technician has
performed the Evidence function. However, this separation is not reflected in current job
classifications. Recently, the Evidence Technician performing the property and evidence
management function promoted to the position of Police Records Supervisor. This has provided
the opportunity to update the Classification and Compensation Plan to reflect the separation of
functions in advance of the recruitment for the replacement.
The recommended salary range for the Police Property Technician classification is the same as
Evidence Technician since the two functions were both part of the Evidence Technician
classification, and therefore have been paid at the same rate. The recommended compensation
range for the Police Property Technician is $51,958.40 — $63,148.80 per year. The proposed
Police Property Technician has been assigned to Bargaining Unit 6, Peace Officers Association
of Petaluma (POAP). POAP has reviewed the job description and salary recommendation and
supports the establishment of this classification.
Therefore, it is recommended that the City Council adopt a resolution amending the
Classification and Compensation Plan by establishing the classification and pay range of Police
Property Technician, authorizing the position allocation of one (1.0) FTE Police Property
Technician, and reducing the one (1.0) FTE Evidence Technician position allocation to 0.5 FTE
FINANCIAL IMPACTS
The Police Department currently has one (1.0) FTE Evidence Technician approved and funded at
$94,906.00. In addition, the Department has part -time salary budget that includes $51,656.00
funding for a part -time Evidence Technician, for a total of $146,562.00.
This action creates a 0.5 FTE regular, benefit- eligible Evidence Technician position and results
in a net General Fund increase of $7,198.00 for the cost of benefits for the remainder of FY
2015/16 and $12,853.00 annually, which can be absorbed in the Department's current budget
appropriations.
ATTACHMENTS
1. Resolution
a. Exhibit A - Job Description for Police Property Technician
b. Exhibit B - Salary Recommendation for Police Property Technician
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ATTACHMENT 1
RESOLUTION NO.2015 -XXX N.C.S.
OF THE CITY OF PETALUMA, CALIFORNIA
RESOLUTION AMENDING THE CLASSIFICATION AND COMPENSATION PLAN
BY ESTABLISHING THE CLASSIFICATION AND PAY RANGE OF POLICE
PROPERTY TECHNICIAN, AUTHORIZING THE POSITION ALLOCATION OF ONE
(1.0) FTE POLICE PROPERTY TECHNICIAN, AND REDUCING THE ONE (1) FTE
EVIDENCE TECHNICIAN POSITION ALLOCATION TO 0.5 FTE.
WHEREAS, the City wishes to keep current its Classification and Compensation Plan;
and amendments and or revisions to the Classification and Compensation Plan are effective upon
approval by the City Council; and,
WHEREAS, the City Manager /Personnel Officer has determined that certain
duties and responsibilities are appropriately allocated to the classification of Police
Property Technician, attached hereto and marked as Exhibit A and compensated at the
rates attached hereto and marked as Exhibit B.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council of the City of
Petaluma:
1. Approves the amendment to the Classification and Compensation Plan as
written in this Resolution including the amendment in the Competitive
Service of the Personnel System.
2. Takes this action pursuant to Personnel Code 3.04.020 and Personnel
Rules and Regulations (Rule IV- Classification and Rule V —
Compensation) and, that the notice of this action has been properly posted.
3. Authorizes the position allocation of one Police Property Technician.
4. Reduces funding for one (1.0) FTE Evidence Technician position to
0.5 FTE.
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EXHIBIT A
a� CITY OF PETALUMA
CLASS SPECIFICATION
Date: 01/04/2016
r $ $ Job Class:
Police Property Technician
Summary
Receives, stores, transports, releases, and /or disposes of property and evidence in the Petaluma
Police Department and maintains related records.
Class Characteristics
General supervision is provided by the Police Records Supervisor. Responsibilities may include
the technical or functional supervision of other staff or volunteers /interns. This is a specialized
non -sworn position that is responsible for the maintenance, security and technical coordination
of the property and evidence function. It is distinguished from the other non -sworn positions in
the Police Department by the consequence of errors, level of responsibility, and independent
decision making applicable to this position.
Essential Duties, Skills, and Demands of the Position
The duties, skills, and demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an
employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations
may be made to enable individuals with a disability to perform the essential duties, skills, and
demands.
Duties:
Receive, store, and maintain all property and evidence including all stored property and evidence
related equipment; maintain stocks of required packaging and storage supplies; and maintain
organized property packaging and storage areas in accordance with state, city, and departmental
procedures and regulations.
Notify property owners of releasable property; release or dispose of property recovered, found,
or seized in accordance with state, city, and departmental procedures and regulations.
Use property and evidence database system to enter and maintain data about all actions
associated with the property; compile data from a variety of database systems to prepare reports;
and duplicate digital evidence as needed.
Coordinate with various public agencies, private attorneys, and others to arrange and conduct
timely viewing of evidence during discovery processes; witness the viewing of evidence during
discovery processes in an unobtrusive and impartial manner; transport evidence to various public
agencies and other persons legally entitled; and testify in court regarding chain of custody,
property records, and equipment maintenance.
in
Attend training to keep current with applicable laws and regulations relative to the handling and
storage of evidence /property and recommend appropriate changes when necessary.
In a backup capacity, make latent fingerprint comparisons following established procedures.
Perform general office duties including typing, record keeping, filing, and basic report writing.
Use personal protective equipment including but not limited to gloves, safety glasses, face
masks, and Tyvek suits, when applicable and required.
Perform related duties as assigned.
Skills /Abilities:
Learn and apply laws, regulations, principles and methods for receiving, storing, maintaining,
transporting, and disposing of property and evidence.
Read, comprehend, learn, and apply a variety of applicable procedure manuals, legal codes, and
legal documents.
Use applicable database software systems and applications.
Operate a computer, applicable software applications, modern office equipment, and multi -line
telephones.
Exercise sound judgment and make decisions independently within established guidelines.
Present accurate and detailed information related to property and evidence procedures and chain
of custody.
Communicate effectively verbally and in writing with a variety of constituents.
Establish and maintain productive working relationships with those contacted in the course of the
work.
Transport evidence using a department authorized vehicle or equivalent.
Learn how to properly handle property and evidence, including narcotics, explosives, hazardous
materials, and weapons in a safe manner.
Learn latent fingerprint comparison procedures and practices.
Physical Demands and Work Environment:
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, use the
computer keyboard and mouse, use hands and fingers to handle or feel; reach with hands and
arms, talk or hear, stand, walk, and stoop, or crouch. Occasionally lift and /or move up to 50
pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color
vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus. Requires the ability to
work in an office environment where the noise level is usually moderate.
Qualifications
Knowled e of:
Basic principles and methods for receiving and handling property and evidence.
Applicable database software applications.
Standard office practices and procedures.
Safe work methods and safety regulations pertaining to the work.
Basic law enforcement organization, activities, terminology, and regulations.
Record keeping principles and practices specific to a law enforcement (or equivalent)
organization.
Education and Experience
Any combination equivalent to the education and experience likely to provide the required
knowledge and abilities would be qualifying. A typical way to gain such knowledge and abilities
would be:
Education:
Equivalent to graduation from high school.
Experience:
Two years of experience in police records, property /evidence management; or inventory /supply
administration, storage, and records management; or equivalent with a law enforcement agency.
Certificates /Licenses:
Possession of a valid California Class C driver license.
As a term of continued employment, incumbents must obtain certification as a Property and
Evidence Specialist (CPES) from the International Association of Property and Evidence (IAPE)
within 18 months of appointment.
As a term of continued employment, incumbents must successfully complete the Peace Officer
Standards and Training (POST) 38 -hour course on latent fingerprint comparison within 18
months of appointment.
C•
EXHIBIT B
Police Property Technician Salary Range
POLICE
PROPERTY
TECHNICIAN
HOURLY
24.98
26.23
27.51
28.87
30.36
MONTHLY
4329.87
4546.53
4768.40
5004.13
5262.40
ANNUAL
51,958.40
54,558.40
57, 220.80
60,049.60
63,148.80
Established: 1/4/2016
Resolution #:
Reformatted:
Department: Police
FLSA Status: Non - exempt