| ITEM #: 6. DATE: 12/08/2025 AI #:2946 |
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CITY COUNCIL ACTION REPORT
| SUBJECT: | ADOPT AMENDMENT TO GOODYEAR CITY CODE CHAPTER 13, TRAFFIC, SECTION 13-1, ADMINISTRATION |
| STAFF PRESENTER(S): | Brian Issitt, Chief of Police |
SUMMARY
This is a request to amend Chapter 13 of the Goodyear City Code to add a section, 13-1-4, authorizing unarmed Police Assistants (PAs) to issue civil traffic citations, enforce city code regulations relating to parking and standing, and enforce regulations on motorized skateboards and shared mobility devices.
STRATEGIC PLAN ALIGNMENT
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RECOMMENDATION
ADOPT ORDINANCE NO. 2025-1641 AMENDING GOODYEAR CITY CODE, CHAPTER 13 TRAFFIC, ARTICLE 13, ADMINISTRATION, BY ADDING SECTION 13-1-4 RELATED TO POWERS OF UNARMED POLICE ASSISTANTS AND TRAFFIC INVESTIGATORS. (Brian Issitt, Chief of Police)
FISCAL IMPACT
The Police Department’s FY2026 base budget includes the full cost of the PA positions. There is no additional budget impact associated with the approval of this City Code amendment.
BACKGROUND AND PREVIOUS ACTIONS
The City of Goodyear Civil Code Enforcement, Article 18-1-4, Authority to issue civil citations, does not authorize PAs to issue civil citations. The city has not adopted Title 28 of the Arizona Revised Statutes into the Goodyear City Code. The Arizona Revised Statutes specifically authorize this practice through the passage of an ordinance in the jurisdiction that establishes the authority for PAs to engage in this activity. Other valley agencies regularly use trained civilian personnel to issue parking citations and assist with non-injury traffic incidents. The use of PAs for these purposes is beneficial and an excellent use of personnel resources.
STAFF ANALYSIS
Staff recommends adopting Ordinance No. 2025-1641, included as Attachment A. As the city continues to grow, the police department will utilize all available resources to ensure the public's safety. The ability of PAs to issue civil citations and conduct non-injury traffic investigations enables the department to focus its sworn officers on more serious crimes.
Additionally, PAs will also be able to assist with a broader range of civil offenses, keeping police officers available for criminal matters. If this amendment is adopted, the Chief of Police will issue standard operating procedures and training to all PAs regarding the issuance of citations and traffic investigations. The PAs will be sent to training through Arizona POST on traffic collision investigation course as a mandatory requirement. In service training shall occur prior to being authorized to respond to vehicle accidents.
For example, from 2022 through September 2025, GYPD responded to 4,405 vehicle collisions that the PAs would be eligible to handle. If the PAs are able to respond to fifty percent (50%) of those collisions, depending on staffing and other matters, that would free up police officers from responding to 2,202 calls for service of a non-criminal nature, or approximately 734 calls per year. This will allow the on-duty police officers to remain available for emergency calls for service and engage in proactive policing measures that benefit the city and its residents.
Additionally, PAs will also be able to assist with a broader range of civil offenses, keeping police officers available for criminal matters. If this amendment is adopted, the Chief of Police will issue standard operating procedures and training to all PAs regarding the issuance of citations and traffic investigations. The PAs will be sent to training through Arizona POST on traffic collision investigation course as a mandatory requirement. In service training shall occur prior to being authorized to respond to vehicle accidents.
For example, from 2022 through September 2025, GYPD responded to 4,405 vehicle collisions that the PAs would be eligible to handle. If the PAs are able to respond to fifty percent (50%) of those collisions, depending on staffing and other matters, that would free up police officers from responding to 2,202 calls for service of a non-criminal nature, or approximately 734 calls per year. This will allow the on-duty police officers to remain available for emergency calls for service and engage in proactive policing measures that benefit the city and its residents.