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RESOLUTION APPROVING AN INTERGOVERNMENTAL AGREEMENT WITH THE CITY OF BRIGHTON TO ESTABLISH A SHARED VICTIM SERVICES UNIT
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Summary and Background Information: In 2013, the Commerce City Police Department received notification from the Victim Assistance and Law Enforcement board (V.A.L.E.) they would no longer provide grant funds for the Commerce City Police Department's Victim Advocate program. Reasons provided by the VALE board included, but were not limited to, the department under serving those crime victims under the Crime Victims Bill of Rights, more commonly known as Victim Rights Act (VRA) crimes. The police department conducted an examination of its service delivery model and found opportunity for improvement.
In an effort to enhance the service to future crime victims in Commerce City, police department management enacted a new policy, closer supervision of the victim advocate staff and provided training to all sworn members of the police department. First, whenever a VRA crime occurs it required a mandatory response by a department victim advocate. Second, follow-up services were to occur within a reasonable time frame for each crime victim by a department victim advocate. Third, police department staff explored other alternatives for ensuring crime victims were properly served by the Commerce City Police Department.
One of the alternatives explored was the possibility of partnering with the City of Brighton Police Department to provide services to crime victims for both communities. As a citywide goal to explore and partner with neighboring communities when possible, this partnership seemed appropriate. Both police chiefs discussed and agreed further examination of this concept should occur. Assigned staff from both departments discussed the possibility of combining services. Once the details were worked out, an IGA was crafted and has been approved by Brighton's City Council.
Some key elements to the agreement are:
· Brighton's Victim Advocate Coordinator will supervise both programs to include all paid staff and volunteers from both agencies
· By combining both services Commerce City realizes an increase in available resources from two paid staff members and five volunteers to four paid staff members and 20 volunteers
· Commerce City does not have to hire a full-time coordinator to oversee operations and supervise two victim advocates
· Pooling of resources allows greater opportunities for allocation of grant dollars from various regional, state and federal grant funding authorities
· Commerce City residents will realize a greater level of service over time as the program develops and matures
· A true collaboration of two communities working together to benefit their citizens
· A reduction in overtime callouts of our paid staff
· A more rested staff with less impacts felt by after hour callouts
· Distribution of costs are based on calls for services, population and unattended death responses this equates to about 54% (Commerce City) and 46% Brighton
· Commerce City will pay their employee's salary and benefits
· Beginning in 2016 Commerce City will dissolve the victim services unit and employees become City of Brighton employees.
Staff Responsible (Department Head): Chief Troy Smith
Staff Member Presenting: Chief Troy Smith
Financial Impact: 2014 budget impacts $5,503.00 for Victim Services Coordinator salary share.
Funding Source: Existing CCPD budget
Staff Recommendation: Approve and sign Resolution
Suggested Motion: I move to approve Resolution 2014-74