C I T Y O F F O R T P I E R C E
POLICE COMMUNITY ADVISORY COMMITTEE
MINUTES
Regular Meeting - Thursday, August 10, 2023 - 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; Bruce Murray; Betty Bradwell
- Absent:
- Quincy Barr
- Staff Present:
-
- Chief of Police Diane Hobley-Burney
- Lieutenant Jason Braun
1.
CALL TO ORDER
4:33 pm
2.
OPENING PRAYER
Staff Hobley-Burney prayed.
3.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
4.
ROLL CALL
Motion was made by Bruce Murray, seconded by Melvin Jones, Sr. to excuse the absence of Member Barr.
- AYE:
- Betty Bradwell, Bruce Murray, Charles Hayek, Melvin Jones, Sr.
Passed
5.
APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES
A.
Approval of Minutes from the July 13, 2023, Police Community Advisory Meeting.
Motion was made by Bruce Murray, seconded by Betty Bradwell to approve the minutes of the July 13, 2023 meeting.
- AYE:
- Betty Bradwell, Bruce Murray, Charles Hayek, Melvin Jones, Sr.
Passed
6.
COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC
Any person who wishes to comment on any subject on this Agenda or any 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 any 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.
7.
OLD BUSINESS
None
8.
NEW BUSINESS
A.
Department Update
Staff Hobley-Burney welcomed Lieutenant Grecco to make a presentation to members on staffing and compensation for police officers. Lieutenant Grecco shared that of the 141 sworn officer positions that are allotted to the department, 19 positions are yet to be filled. Currently, there are 85 officers, including detectives who are assigned to the road. Of the 85 officers, approximately 52 of them have less than 5 years’ experience and 33 officers have less than 2 years’ experience. With regard to the Differed Retirement Option Program (DROP), it was noted that of the 21 officers in the program, 10 officers could leave the department immediately and 11 officers are slated to leave in the next 5 years.
Lieutenant Grecco pointed out that since 2005 the department has lost 230 officers. He noted that the exit of these officers would have cost the City $23 million dollars. Members were informed that the national average cost to train and outfit an officer in their first year was $100,000.00.
Based on a comparative analysis of calls for service for two officers for the period January 1, 2023 to June 30, 2023, it was revealed that the Fort Pierce Police Department responded to 1,837 calls, the St. Lucie County Sheriff’s Department responded to 953 calls while 704 calls were handled by the Port Saint Lucie Police Department.
With regard to compensation, Lieutenant Grecco outlined that the officers are grateful to the City Commission for the investment made to cover the step increases. He shared that currently the department had the lowest salary for police officers among the seven law enforcement agencies in the Treasure Coast. Additionally, with the projected salary increase in October 2023 for these agencies, it was noted that the department will still be behind.
Member Murray inquired if the officers were being paid in their current step plan and what would be a satisfactory step increase. Staff Hobley-Burney said yes. Lieutenant Grecco shared that the officers have asked for a 5% increase in addition to their annual step increase because some step increases would equate to less than a dollar an hour. Member Murray asked if the presentation will be made to the City Commission. Lieutenant Grecco said he has reached out to the Commissioners but so far only Commissioner Broderick has agreed to meet with the officers.
Member Hayek commended Lieutenant Grecco for the presentation and shared that the impact of the annexation of the city should be added to the information. Also, Member Murray suggested that information on the importance of having more officers to respond to calls for service was important.
Given the impact of officer retention on the progress of the department, Member Murray stated that the city needs to hire retired personnel to fill available positions. Staff Hobley-Burney in response shared how other agencies have benefitted when they hire retired officers because of their training and experience. She informed members that the job descriptions for specialized positions to be filled by retired personnel from other agencies were created by Staff Braun. Once these specialized positions are approved and filled it would allow more officers to respond to priority calls.
A discussion followed on the rehiring of officers with the department to assist with specialized duties. Staff Hobley-Burney outlined that this would require an amendment of the City’s Charter.
As it relates to the annexation of the city, members were informed that the police department will be refining the zones for the creation of another Substation in the Okeechobee Road area.
With regard to community engagement, Staff Hobley-Burney shared that the department’s Unity in Our Community event was a success with approximately 1,000 attendees. She said both children and adults had fun at the Raft Race even though it was a very hot day. The police department participated in the Migrant Education Back to School Fair. For the department’s National Night Out at the River Walk Center, Staff Hobley-Burney said the Training Unit did a demo of our taser devices and attendees got a chance to interface with the K-9 Unit staff.
To prepare for the resumption of school, the department’s School Crossing Guards had their training in the field. Also, the department’s Youth Explorer Program received a financial donation from the Fort Pierce Blue Angels.
Lieutenant Grecco pointed out that since 2005 the department has lost 230 officers. He noted that the exit of these officers would have cost the City $23 million dollars. Members were informed that the national average cost to train and outfit an officer in their first year was $100,000.00.
Based on a comparative analysis of calls for service for two officers for the period January 1, 2023 to June 30, 2023, it was revealed that the Fort Pierce Police Department responded to 1,837 calls, the St. Lucie County Sheriff’s Department responded to 953 calls while 704 calls were handled by the Port Saint Lucie Police Department.
With regard to compensation, Lieutenant Grecco outlined that the officers are grateful to the City Commission for the investment made to cover the step increases. He shared that currently the department had the lowest salary for police officers among the seven law enforcement agencies in the Treasure Coast. Additionally, with the projected salary increase in October 2023 for these agencies, it was noted that the department will still be behind.
Member Murray inquired if the officers were being paid in their current step plan and what would be a satisfactory step increase. Staff Hobley-Burney said yes. Lieutenant Grecco shared that the officers have asked for a 5% increase in addition to their annual step increase because some step increases would equate to less than a dollar an hour. Member Murray asked if the presentation will be made to the City Commission. Lieutenant Grecco said he has reached out to the Commissioners but so far only Commissioner Broderick has agreed to meet with the officers.
Member Hayek commended Lieutenant Grecco for the presentation and shared that the impact of the annexation of the city should be added to the information. Also, Member Murray suggested that information on the importance of having more officers to respond to calls for service was important.
Given the impact of officer retention on the progress of the department, Member Murray stated that the city needs to hire retired personnel to fill available positions. Staff Hobley-Burney in response shared how other agencies have benefitted when they hire retired officers because of their training and experience. She informed members that the job descriptions for specialized positions to be filled by retired personnel from other agencies were created by Staff Braun. Once these specialized positions are approved and filled it would allow more officers to respond to priority calls.
A discussion followed on the rehiring of officers with the department to assist with specialized duties. Staff Hobley-Burney outlined that this would require an amendment of the City’s Charter.
As it relates to the annexation of the city, members were informed that the police department will be refining the zones for the creation of another Substation in the Okeechobee Road area.
With regard to community engagement, Staff Hobley-Burney shared that the department’s Unity in Our Community event was a success with approximately 1,000 attendees. She said both children and adults had fun at the Raft Race even though it was a very hot day. The police department participated in the Migrant Education Back to School Fair. For the department’s National Night Out at the River Walk Center, Staff Hobley-Burney said the Training Unit did a demo of our taser devices and attendees got a chance to interface with the K-9 Unit staff.
To prepare for the resumption of school, the department’s School Crossing Guards had their training in the field. Also, the department’s Youth Explorer Program received a financial donation from the Fort Pierce Blue Angels.
B.
Upcoming Events
Members were informed that the Trump Trial was postponed until May 2024. Staff Hobley-Burney stated that there was a recent trial hearing and there were no complaints. She pointed out that the department is still working with local and federal partners to ensure the safety of the City for the upcoming trial.
9.
STAFF COMMENTS
Staff Hobley-Burney welcomed Member Bradwell and shared how happy it was to have her at the meeting. Member Bradwell stated it was good to be back and that she was feeling much better.
10.
COMMITTEE MEMBER COMMENTS
Member Jones shared that Jalil Temple will be participating in the Tunnels of Hope activities to welcome children back to school and will make plans to participate in the next Raft Race.
Member Murray shared a concern about the usage of one of the police department’s ATVs on the Crosswalk at A1A. Staff Hobley-Burney said that whatever information that is available, including photos, the department will provide.
Member Murray shared a concern about the usage of one of the police department’s ATVs on the Crosswalk at A1A. Staff Hobley-Burney said that whatever information that is available, including photos, the department will provide.
11.
ADJOURNMENT
Motion was made by Melvin Jones, Sr., to adjourn the meeting at 5:28 P.M.
- AYE:
- Betty Bradwell, Bruce Murray, Charles Hayek, Melvin Jones, Sr.
Passed