09-21-2021 Additional PersonnelPolice Department
Proposing Additional Personnel and Resources
City Council Report
September 21, 2021
Andy Hwang, Chief of Police
Steve Groom, Finance Director
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Overview
Changes in Public Safety
Historical Staffing Background
Police Chiefs Recommendations
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Changes in Publ'ic Safety
The United States is experiencing an increase in gun violence, and the
greater Seattle -Tacoma region is caught up in it. Recently in Federal
Way we experienced several shootings in a short span of time.
In Washington State, there were 302 murders in 2020 in comparison
to 206 in 2019, an increase of 46%. In King County, there were 102
murders in 2020, and 69 fatal shooting victims, an increase of 27%.
In the first six months of 2021, there has been 42 fatal shooting
victims in King County, which is up 46%. In Federal Way, we have
experienced six murders year to date. Violent crime is on the rise in
Washington and in King County.
One of my responsibilities as your law enforcement leader is to inform
you, the elected policy makers and our residents, why this is
happening. Second, you have a right to expect me to recommend
strategies to keep our community safe.
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Changes in Public Safety ont.1 d)
Changes in our public environment compel us to commit more
resources to public safety now in order to ensure Federal Way
remains a safe place to live, work, shop and play. Significant
changes include a rising population, rising violence throughout
the region, and reduced offender accountability.
As of April 2020 (U.S. Census), City of Federal Way population
was 101,030. Based on that figure, our police officer ratio is
1.36 per 1,000 residents. There was rapid growth of nearly
5,000 people in a single year (96,289 people in 2019).
With other significant developments underway, the rapid
growth will continue in the foreseeable future. Major projects
such as Light Rail and The Commons will significantly bring
more visitors and residents to our downtown area.
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pQzt�� Changes • in Publ'ic Safety (cont'd)
Less accountability for criminal offenses creates more
feelings of immunity among offenders, emboldening their
actions to harm others. Crimes are becoming increasingly
more brazen and frequent.
King County has jurisdiction over felonies and juvenile
crimes. With funding reduced at the prosecutor's office,
many felonies and crimes by juveniles are simply not
prosecuted.
Jails are accepting fewer arrestees and judges are quicker
to release them. The same is true of our state prisons.
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Changes in Public Safety (cont'd)
Significant new policing reform laws in the state add to this mixture
(HB 1054 and HB 1310). More offenders are, literally, getting away
with crime. These bills have "tied our hands" from doing good police
work and now we are starting to see its impacts.
One of the impacts to the community is the new state law on police
tactics (HB 1054), which changed the requirements for vehicle pursuits
by police officers. The restrictions virtually eliminate police pursuits in
Washington State. Since its effective date (July 25, 2021), the Federal
Way Police Department has recorded 17 criminal escapes (as of
September 15) due to non -pursuit.
When police emergency lights were activated, the suspects fled and
the officers could not legally pursue them. Our former ability to
pursue, particularly in the middle of the night, was a deterrent to
fleeing in the first place; now criminals are more willing to simply drive
away.
Changes in Pu blis Safety c ont d
Stealing a vehicle is often a precursor for committing violent
crimes. Apprehending car thieves was a powerful method for
preventing violence and apprehending dangerous offenders.
Now, however, we cannot legally pursue stolen vehicles.
Earlier this year the Washington legislature passed ESB 5476,
which essentially de -criminalized possession of dangerous
drugs (including heroin, cocaine, meth, Fentanyl and so forth).
Drug use is more rampant and blatant than ever. Previously,
physical arrest initiated a process in which courts could compel
treatment. Now, police officers are virtually prohibited from
making arrests for drug use or possession.
Offenders walk away with a referral card in their pocket, with
no obligation to take any corrective action. Fatal overdose is
an increasing plague to Washington's communities.
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Changes in Public Safety ont.1 d)
Much of gun violence in Federal Way has nexus to drugs.
Shootings often stem from drug use, drug transactions and
drug rips. Drug activity is a primary contributing factor for gun
violence and other crimes in our community.
Auto theft numbers are significantly increasing in King County:
June 805; July 981; August 1,154. In Federal Way: June 48; July
54; August 66. We are projected to between 80 and 90 auto
thefts in September.
There are several factors as to why certain crimes are on the
increase, but in regards to auto theft, one of the factors is
directly correlated to the new state reform law. It is the
offenders belief that they will not be apprehended and held
accountable.
FWPD Historical Background
1
October 2006 the population of Federal Way was 86,350.
• FWPD had 15 records specialists and 118 police officers.
November 2006, Proposition #1 (Public and Community Safety Service
Improvement Package) added 18 police officers (to 136 total) and one additional
records specialist.
• Prop 1 brought the officer ratio to
increase from 1.37.
Recession 2008-2011
1.59 officers per 1,000 residents, an
• May 2009 the police department stopped filling vacancies. Staffing dropped
to 122 police officers.
• Eliminated criminal intelligence detective, some regular detectives, two pro -
act officers, traffic officers (from 8 to 3), and records personnel (15 to 10).
• Accordingly, some police services were de -prioritized.
Since 2014 we have steadily increased the officer numbers:
• 137 police officers
9 Records remains at 10 9
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Police Chiefs Recommendation
1
Changes in our public environment compel us to commit more
resources. Providing the Police Department with additional staffing
and resources will enhance public safety to impact gun violence and
other crimes. These enhancements will send a strong message to
our community that public safety is a priority and criminal conduct
will not be tolerated.
Police force of 150 police officers
• 13 new positions will give us 1.49 officers per 1,000 residents
• 13 police vehicles added to our fleet to accommodate each
new position.
Police force of 12 records specialists
• Two new positions
15 additional police vehicles
• Recruiting new -hires, retaining tenured officers.
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Deployment of 13 Officers:
• 6 patrol officers, one to each squad
• 4 pro -act officers
• 2 officers to SOU
• 1 officer to Traffic
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Estimated Costs
Salary +benefits for 13 police officers:
$1,275,378 per year
Salary +benefits for two records specialists:
$126,386 per year
Equipment &uniforms + BLEA registration:
$183,000 one-time
Hiring bonuses:
$98,000 one-time
28 equipped patrol vehicles:
$2,072,000 initially, $259,000 per year replacement
Can We Fund It.?
Yes we can, but...
... four questions should be answered .. .
... two feasible options emerge
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Quest*ions to Answer
1. How do we find "extra money?"
• No such thing as "extra money"
• The formal budget process allocates all our resources
to our top priorities
• Intermediate course correction obligations must
contemplate citywide needs and consider future budget
consequences
Budget Integrity
(A Policy -level Balancing Act
Budget Integrity vs. Course Corrections
Our adopted, fully -vetted budget
allocates our limited resources
to our highest prinrit;oc
_Quest*ions to Answer
2. Are there any current -year savings?
• 2021-2022 estimated jail cost savings $1.5 million
• $1.0 million in 2021
• $0.5 million in 2022
• Existing vacancies $123,000 (2022 forecast)
• Savings decline as openings are filled
• Savings will actually fund most of 2022 cost
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_Quest*ions to Answer
3. Is there any new revenue?
• Sales Tax revenue was forecast cautiously due to COVID and
has been coming in favorably
• Committing $478,000 in projected 2022 Sales Tax Revenue
will fill that gap
$2010001000
$18, 000,000
$1 6, 000, 000
$1410001000
$12, 000,000
$10,000,000
$8,000,000
$6,000,000
$4,000,000
$2,000,000
$0
Revenue
City of Federal Way - Sales Tax Revenue Received
Current Year Actual vs. Budget and Prior Year
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Quest*ions to Answer
4. How are future years impacted?
• Adding vehicles increases annual reserve funding
• Adding staff increases annual budget commitment
• Both obligate future revenue — an estimated $1,660,764 per
year on -going
Two Options
Without ARPA (the hard way)
• Savings (already budgeted)
• Sales Tax Revenue (budget amendment)
• ARPA remains available for true one-time costs
• Establishes trajectory now for future budgets
With ARPA (the easier way)
• Vehicle costs of $2.1 million
(ARPA is already budgeted but not committed or
restricted yet)
• Sales Tax Revenue would
be freed up for now
Two Options
Budget Budget Budget
Fund 2021-22 2022-23 2023-24
OOption 1- ARPA vehicles GF Commit ARPA revenue $ 1,702,000 $ 370,000 $ -
GF Add'I Sales Tax Revenue $ 108,275 $ 478,275
OOption 2 - No ARPA
Cap Add'I Vehicle Cost $ 1,702,000 $ 370,000
GF Add'I Sales Tax Revenue $ 478,275 $ 478,275 $ 478,275
Cap Add'I Vehicle Cost $ 1,702,000 $ 370,000
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"%' Finance Director's Recommendation
Either way, but with a "master plan"
ARPA — every dollar spoken for
General Fund Budget —every
department, every program considered
2023-24 budget consequences
Next Steps
Next Budget Amendment
• Commit Increased Sales Tax Revenue
• Increase expenditures —capital (vehicles), personnel,
equipment equal offsetting amount
AND
ARPA Master Planning Update
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Conclusion
✓ Enhancing public safety
✓ Improving recruitment/retention
✓ Anticipating population growth
✓ Considering entire citywide budget
✓ Anticipating future priorities
✓ Spending within our means
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