C I T Y O F F O R T P I E R C E
POLICE COMMUNITY ADVISORY COMMITTEE
MINUTES
Regular Meeting - Thursday, September 9, 2021 - 4:30 p.m.MINUTES
Fort Pierce City Hall, 2nd Floor Conference Room, 100 N US Highway 1, Fort Pierce, FL
- Present:
- Melvin Jones, Sr.; Charles Hayek; Pinkie Hendley; Derrick Gibbons
- Absent:
- Quincy Barr
- Staff Present:
-
- Chief of Police Diane Hobley-Burney
- Lieutenant Jason Braun
1.
CALL TO ORDER
4:31pm.
2.
OPENING PRAYER
Dr. Pinkie Hendley prayed.
3.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
4.
ROLL CALL
Motion was made by Derrick Gibbons, seconded by Pinkie Hendley to excuse the absence of Member Barr.
- AYE:
- Charles Hayek, Derrick Gibbons, Melvin Jones, Sr., Pinkie Hendley
Passed
5.
AMENDMENT OF THE AGENDA
Motion was made by Derrick Gibbons, seconded by Melvin Jones, Sr. to amend the agenda to allow the representative from Project Lift to make a presentation to the Committee.
- AYE:
- Charles Hayek, Derrick Gibbons, Melvin Jones, Sr., Pinkie Hendley
Passed
6.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
A.
Approval of Minutes from the August 12, 2021 Police Community Advisory Committee Meeting.
Motion was made by Derrick Gibbons, seconded by Pinkie Hendley to approve the minutes of the August 12, 2021 meeting.
- AYE:
- Charles Hayek, Derrick Gibbons, Melvin Jones, Sr., Pinkie Hendley
Passed
7.
COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC
Any person who wishes to comment on any subject on this Agenda or other concerns may be heard at this time. Please sign the sign-up sheet in order to speak. Please limit your comments to no more than three (3) minutes, as this section of the Agenda is limited to thirty minutes. The Police Community Advisory Board will not be able to take any official action under “Comments from the Public” section.
Any person who wishes to comment on any subject on this Agenda or other concerns may be heard at this time. Please sign the sign-up sheet in order to speak. Please limit your comments to no more than three (3) minutes, as this section of the Agenda is limited to thirty minutes. The Police Community Advisory Board will not be able to take any official action under “Comments from the Public” section.
None.
8.
OLD BUSINESS
A.
PCAC Community Survey.
Members were advised that the community survey was approved by the City Commission, and that it would be placed on the city’s website. The map that is attached to the survey cannot be downloaded because it is not compatible with the website program. It was recommended that the zip code be used to identify the areas mapped. Member Hayek suggested the RICH House as a possible venue where residents can complete the survey. Lieutenant Braun will contact Mr. Sweat to see when the survey will be available online.
9.
NEW BUSINESS
A.
David O'Brien from Project Lift.
Mr. David O’Brien, Regional Expansion Director for Project Lift provided an overview of the program to include how it all started, how participants are selected, the areas of specialization, and the number of participants in the program. Participants in the program are at risk young adults who did not complete high school, and need mental health support. Members were informed that participants in the program receive a stipend.
Member Jones enquired about the funding of the program. Mr. O’Brien noted that Project Lift was sponsored through donations from Family Foundations, United Way, JAM Foundation as well as fundraisers that the organization plans. Member Hendley wanted to know if the organization has any plans in the future to have the program in areas where young adults did not have any behavioral issues. It was pointed out that discussions are being had to have the program in Fort Pierce.
Member Hayek shared that he was very impressed with how skillful the participants were in the various vocations when he visited the project site in Palm City. He also mentioned that the participants repair vehicles and donate them to needy families. Staff Hobley-Burney shared about her knowledge of the program, and proposed that the committee could plan a site visit.
Member Jones enquired about the funding of the program. Mr. O’Brien noted that Project Lift was sponsored through donations from Family Foundations, United Way, JAM Foundation as well as fundraisers that the organization plans. Member Hendley wanted to know if the organization has any plans in the future to have the program in areas where young adults did not have any behavioral issues. It was pointed out that discussions are being had to have the program in Fort Pierce.
Member Hayek shared that he was very impressed with how skillful the participants were in the various vocations when he visited the project site in Palm City. He also mentioned that the participants repair vehicles and donate them to needy families. Staff Hobley-Burney shared about her knowledge of the program, and proposed that the committee could plan a site visit.
B.
Department Update.
Staff Hobley-Burney introduced Lieutenant Grecco and Sergeant MacCarthy to the Committee, and informed members that they were invited to make a presentation on the staffing and compensation of officers.
Sergeant MacCarthy shared with members that since 2005 the police department hired 216 officers and lost 208. The number of officers who left the department over that time period is equivalent to two police departments. Additionally, since it takes $100,000 to train one officer, the city would have lost $20,800,000 which was invested in the hiring of the 208 officers who left the department.
As it relates to staffing, members were informed that the department’s capacity is 115 sworn officers. Of that total, 89 officers were currently employed, 9 officers were in the Deferred Retirement Option Program (DROP), and 17 positions are opened. In the next 2 years, 5 additional officers will be going into the DROP.
Member Hayek enquired about the department’s staff complement. It was pointed out by Sergeant MacCarthy that while the Fort Pierce Police Department has 10 to 13 officers on a shift, at the Port Saint Lucie Police Department there were 25 officers. Staff Hobley-Burney outlined that even with these staffing concerns, the department has done a lot to make sure that the shifts are manned adequately. She also indicated that the department will be revising its calls for service procedures so that officers can respond to more urgent calls.
With regard to solutions to staffing and compensation concerns, Sergeant MacCarthy outlined that more needs to be done to compete with other agencies to attract and retain officers. He shared that the department hires only 4 percent of the officers who leave the Police Academy. Members were informed that surrounding agencies are doing much more to retain officers. Reference was made to the proposed 8 percent as well as a step increase in salary that the Sheriff Department will be offering its officers. Also, in Coconut Creek, officers are given a sign-on bonus of $10,000, the top pay out for officers was $92,000 while in Fort Pierce officers top out at $62,000. In light of these realities, Lieutenant Grecco pointed out that budgetary constraints have negatively impacted the department’s ability to compete with other agencies. Member Jones asked if the Governor’s proposal to compensate officers would benefit the department. Staff Hobley-Burney indicated that since this was for all departments it would not.
Member Hayek questioned if the presentation will be presented to the City Commission. Sergeant MacCarthy noted that the presentation will be made to the City Manager. Member Hendley said it would be good for members of the Committee to be present at the meeting. Member Jones raised concerns about the staffing and compensation issues that were presented. Member Gibbons also pointed out that he was concerned about the impact the issues raised had on officer retention. He indicated that the City Commission should be presented with an overall picture of the staffing numbers. Lieutenant Grecco thanked members for their input, and shared that the presentation will be improved.
Sergeant MacCarthy shared with members that since 2005 the police department hired 216 officers and lost 208. The number of officers who left the department over that time period is equivalent to two police departments. Additionally, since it takes $100,000 to train one officer, the city would have lost $20,800,000 which was invested in the hiring of the 208 officers who left the department.
As it relates to staffing, members were informed that the department’s capacity is 115 sworn officers. Of that total, 89 officers were currently employed, 9 officers were in the Deferred Retirement Option Program (DROP), and 17 positions are opened. In the next 2 years, 5 additional officers will be going into the DROP.
Member Hayek enquired about the department’s staff complement. It was pointed out by Sergeant MacCarthy that while the Fort Pierce Police Department has 10 to 13 officers on a shift, at the Port Saint Lucie Police Department there were 25 officers. Staff Hobley-Burney outlined that even with these staffing concerns, the department has done a lot to make sure that the shifts are manned adequately. She also indicated that the department will be revising its calls for service procedures so that officers can respond to more urgent calls.
With regard to solutions to staffing and compensation concerns, Sergeant MacCarthy outlined that more needs to be done to compete with other agencies to attract and retain officers. He shared that the department hires only 4 percent of the officers who leave the Police Academy. Members were informed that surrounding agencies are doing much more to retain officers. Reference was made to the proposed 8 percent as well as a step increase in salary that the Sheriff Department will be offering its officers. Also, in Coconut Creek, officers are given a sign-on bonus of $10,000, the top pay out for officers was $92,000 while in Fort Pierce officers top out at $62,000. In light of these realities, Lieutenant Grecco pointed out that budgetary constraints have negatively impacted the department’s ability to compete with other agencies. Member Jones asked if the Governor’s proposal to compensate officers would benefit the department. Staff Hobley-Burney indicated that since this was for all departments it would not.
Member Hayek questioned if the presentation will be presented to the City Commission. Sergeant MacCarthy noted that the presentation will be made to the City Manager. Member Hendley said it would be good for members of the Committee to be present at the meeting. Member Jones raised concerns about the staffing and compensation issues that were presented. Member Gibbons also pointed out that he was concerned about the impact the issues raised had on officer retention. He indicated that the City Commission should be presented with an overall picture of the staffing numbers. Lieutenant Grecco thanked members for their input, and shared that the presentation will be improved.
C.
Upcoming Events.
Staff Hobley-Burney reported that plans were in place to open up a RICH House on the south side. As a result of the increased numbers of Covid-19 cases, the police department’s lobby will be closed and residents will be served by appointments. Also, the RICH House will be opened by appointments only.
Member Jones asked if thought was being given to implement a mandatory vaccination policy. Staff Hobley-Burney pointed out that this would have to be rolled out by the City.
Member Jones asked if thought was being given to implement a mandatory vaccination policy. Staff Hobley-Burney pointed out that this would have to be rolled out by the City.
10.
STAFF COMMENTS
Staff Hobley-Burney informed members that the promotional ceremony for lieutenants and sergeants went well. She apologized to members who were not invited because of the late notification.
11.
COMMITTEE MEMBER COMMENTS
Member Hendley shared with members of an upcoming initiative, the New Life Changing Information Resource Center Incorporated that will be beneficial to the community.
12.
ADJOURNMENT
Motion was made by Melvin Jones, Sr., seconded by Derrick Gibbons to adjourn the meeting at 6:17 P.M.
- AYE:
- Charles Hayek, Derrick Gibbons, Melvin Jones, Sr., Pinkie Hendley
Passed