City of Cape Coral Police Department Multi-Year Plan 2016 2018
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City of Cape Coral Police Department Multi-Year Plan 2016 – 2018
Vision, Mission, and Value Statement
Vision Statement
To become the premier law enforcement agency in Florida, striving to attain the highest
level of safety for our community.
Mission Statement
To ensure the safety and well-being of our community through a partnership with our
citizens.
Value Statement
We value professionalism as the ideal conduct that is based upon the uncompromising
virtues of character that embraces public trust and promotes the relentless pursuit of
justice.
Cape Coral Police Department Multi-Year Plan 2016 – 2018 2|Page
Multi-Year Plan 2016 – 2018 Introduction The Multi-Year plan serves as the roadmap to guide the Department toward realizing its vision, achieving its stated mission, and reflecting its core values. This plan is in-line with the strategic goals of the City of Cape Coral. It is also intended to serve as an operational guide, or “user manual” of sorts, that is updated as necessary to reflect the ever-changing environment in which the Department operates. The Cape Coral Police Department is a full-service law enforcement agency serving the second largest city in Florida by land mass (120 square miles). According to the 2015 Bureau of Economic and Business Research (BEBR) at the University of Florida, Cape Coral’s population increased to 166,508 from the U. S. Census reported count of 154,305 in 2010. The City of Cape Coral was incorporated in 1970 with a population of 11,470. On August 9, 1971, the Cape Coral Police Department was fully operational, offering around-the-clock services for the first time ever to a city of about 15,000 residents. Beginning with a staff of six, it grew to 45 in 1974, and then to 58 in 1980. The first police headquarters was located in one half of a building in the 4300 block of Del Prado Boulevard. The space, donated by the Gulf American Land Corporation, which had offices in the building, also housed the first City Hall. In June 2009, the Police Department was relocated to its new headquarters, and current staffing levels are: 231 authorized sworn officers, 93 civilian staff, and 191 volunteers. According to the 2014 Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) ranking of safest cities, based on Uniform Crime Reports (UCR), Cape Coral has taken 2nd place for Florida cities with a population over 150,000. In 2015, the Cape Coral Police Department saw a 16.1% decrease in violent crimes; the largest decline was in the areas of Aggravated Assault (-23.7%) and Homicide (-100%). Non-violent crime was also on the decline last year, dropping by 4.1%. At the same time, the Cape Coral Police Department increased its case clearance rate by 5.6% in 2015. Our current and future success is based on the hard work, professionalism, and dedication by the men and women of this department, collaboration and partnerships with the community. Working together has resulted in a safe and secure city that we can all enjoy with our family, friends, and co-workers. Cape Coral Police Department Multi-Year Plan 2016 – 2018 3|Page
Trends Trends Identified The analysis of day-to-day operations, current workloads, assignments, and trends, assists the Department in predicting future needs. 1. Economic Recovery Cape Coral is continuing to see recovery in our area; with increased population estimates, increases in new businesses, and increases in new construction permits. In May 2015, the Florida Supreme Court ruled in favor of the City’s fire services assessment. With this positive outcome, the City can move forward with the long-neglected capital projects including, but not limited to: paving roadways, upgrading failing capital equipment and facilities, and providing a reduction in property taxes. 2. Motorola Portable Radios The service contract on the existing portable radios expires in December 2018. The current radios have exceeded their life expectancy. With limited replacement parts available and no service contract, the Department will be replacing the radios with the Motorola APX6500. Current General Funds, Police Confiscation Funds, and Grant Funds have been identified as the revenue sources for the purchase of the new equipment during 2016. 3. In-car Mobile Radios The service contract on the existing In-car Mobile Radios is also expiring in December 2018. The existing In-car Mobile Radios are not factory installed items, this equipment is added when the vehicle arrives into the Fleet Department. Currently, In-car Mobile Radios are transferred from vehicles that are no longer in service, to new vehicles. In the FY 2017 budget, the new mobile radios will be included in the vehicle package. Cape Coral Police Department Multi-Year Plan 2016 – 2018 4|Page
Long-Term Goals and Operational Objectives Community Governance The Cape Coral Police Department believes that it takes the entire community working together to address crime. Success depends upon this relationship. The Department is proud to collaborate with community stakeholders such as our schools, service and faith- based organizations, and residents to ensure we all do our part to preserve a safe, robust, and thriving environment. The goal is to reinforce, in the minds of citizens, that this is “Their Police Department.” Objectives established to work towards this goal include: “Shop with a Cop” Shop with a Cop is a community outreach program that provides children whose families are struggling financially, a positive interaction with Cape Coral Police Officers during the holidays. This program has been hosted by the Cape Coral Police Department for 13 years, and will be continuing through 2017. Citizen Police Academy Twice each year, spring (March-May) and fall (September-November), the Cape Coral Police Department conducts a Citizen’s Police Academy; a ten-week orientation program designed to give citizens an in-depth, hands-on look at how and why the police department does what it does. Attendees of the Citizen’s Police Academy participate in a wide variety of activities including: a Ride Along with a Patrol Officer, Defensive Tactics, Traffic Safety, Criminal Law, Tactical Driving, Police Communications, Forensics and other interesting topics. Graduates of the class will also be invited back to the Police Department on a regular basis for special programs. This program assists in building lasting and productive partnerships between our Police Department and the community. Public Safety Advisory Committee The Public Safety Advisory Committee is a group comprised of a diverse group of representatives from various sectors of the community such as business, media, students, civic groups, faith-based organizations, and others that meet with the Chief of Police on a quarterly basis. The committee provides a vehicle for these groups to be brought together, where they otherwise might not have an opportunity to meet, and exchange ideas with each other and with the Chief of Police. The forum allows Cape Coral Police Department Multi-Year Plan 2016 – 2018 5|Page
community stakeholders to bring concerns and information to the Department in an
informal setting, thus, paving the way for strategic partnerships to be created between the
various groups and the Department to address concerns within the community. It also
provides a line of communication from the Department to community leaders. These
meetings have been very successful and will continue on a quarterly basis in coming
years.
Capital Items/Equipment Needs
The Department’s capital needs are as follows:
1. All-Terrain Vehicles
The 2018 budget includes $18,000 for replacement of All-Terrain Vehicles (ATVs). The
existing ATVs are in excess of twelve years old. By 2018, it is projected that the two
current ATVs will have exhausted their useful life expectancy. Their current use is for
missions and tasks that are located in
various wooded and limited access
areas throughout the City. One such
example is homeless camps that may
have been established in the now
defunct south Cape Coral Country Club,
and the wooded area that used to be the
golf course. An ATV can be used to
scour the area and look for possible
problems identified by neighbors in and
around these particular areas. The ATV
has been used numerous times in
missing person investigations.
2. Forensic Equipment
In FY 2016, $9,500 has been budgeted for the purchase of a Crime Light. The Crime
Light will be used to assist Forensic personnel with victim photography. This light allows
for better viewing of bruising and injuries on a victim, than normal photography.
In FY 2017, $7,000 has been allocated for the Up-Flow
Air Chamber in the Forensic Lab, which needs to be
replaced. The air chamber is used when the Forensics
Unit uses certain chemicals, such as methanol and
acetone, to process particular items for fingerprints.
The chamber will be able to filter a greater number of
particles per square inch, which will allow for greater
safety and quicker processing.
Cape Coral Police Department Multi-Year Plan 2016 – 2018 6|Page
Also budgeted in FY2017 is $25,000 to purchase an additional Cellbrite Digital Forensic
Recovery system. Over the past year, the agency has doubled the number of cell phones
that require forensic processing in criminal cases.
The addition of another Cellbrite Digital Forensic Recovery system will greatly enhance
the Department’s ability to keep up with the increasing workload. The system is used for
data extraction, transfer, and analysis for cellular phones and mobile devices.
Finally, in FY 2018, $18,000 is budgeted for the purchase of an Alternate Light Source.
Alternate Light Sources are typically used in crime scene investigations to identify trace
evidence. Physiological fluids such as: semen, urine, and saliva can be located through
their natural fluorescent properties utilizing ultra-violet (UV) light.
3. In-car Video Camera
The 2016 and 2017 budget includes $55,000 each year for In-car Video Camera
replacements. The current In-car Video Cameras are obsolete since the company that
manufactured these devices is no longer in business; therefore, making it impossible to
obtain replacement parts, support, or new equipment. The cameras are being replaced
with the Panasonic Arbitrator. During FY 2016, the Department will be purchasing an
additional 23 units for Patrol vehicles, K-9, and Traffic Unit vehicles.
4. Canine (K-9) Replacement
For 2016 - 2018, $10,000 is budgeted yearly for K-9 replacements, the amounts per year
were increased due to recent changes in the cost of a dog. These canines work hard,
and the benefits of having them are seen in the results
of increased confiscation of illegal drugs and criminal
apprehensions. C a n i n e s are retired due to age,
health, and time in service. Replacement scheduling
is not predictable due to the unknown working life
span of a canine, considering the ever-changing
challenges in the day-to-day operations that a canine
is involved in.
Population Trends
Since the U.S. Census official population figures are only provided every ten years, other
data sources are utilized to project population figures for future years. The chart below
summarizes the population statistics from 2010, with projections through 2020. According
to the Environmental Systems Research Institute, Inc. (ERSI), an international supplier of
Cape Coral Police Department Multi-Year Plan 2016 – 2018 7|Page
Geographic Information System software that the City of Cape Coral utilizes, estimates
the 2015 population figure of 163,602 and that by 2020, it will grow to 175,709.
As the population of Cape Coral grows, the needs of the Police Department must be
reviewed and evaluated on a continual basis.
Cape Coral Population Figures
180,000
175,000
170,000
165,000
160,000
155,000
150,000
145,000
140,000
2010 2015 2020
2010 - Source: U.S. Census
2015 - Source: ESRI Estimated figure
2020 - Source: ESRI estimated figure
The initial population for 2010 was 154,305 according to U.S. Census data. Five years
later in 2015, the population grew to 163,602, which reflects a 6% increase, according to
ESRI. The 2020 population reflects an estimated figure of 175,709, a 7% increase from
the 2015 population estimate from ESRI. These increases in population figures are
another indication of further growth within Cape Coral.
As seen in the charts on the next page, the projections indicate an overall decrease in
the “Caucasian” population of Cape Coral, representing 66% of the estimated 2015
figures. The “Hispanic” population has increased, representing 22% of the estimated
2015 population. “African-American” and “Other” ethnic groups are still maintaining 5%
and 8% of the estimated population respectively. Projections into 2020 continue to show
a decline in “Caucasian” population, while “Hispanic” and “Other” groups continue to
increase.
Cape Coral Police Department Multi-Year Plan 2016 – 2018 8|Page
Cape Coral Demographic Breakdown 2015
8%
Caucasian
21%
African- American
66% Hispanic
Other
5%
Cape Coral Demographic Breakdown 2020
8%
24%
Caucasian
63% African- American
5% Hispanic
Other
*Chart information from ESRI demographic data
Cape Coral Police Department Multi-Year Plan 2016 – 2018 9|Page
Projected Workload In order to anticipate the needs of the agency, the Cape Coral Police Department is looking beyond the present. The Department must anticipate changes in the mission or any shifts in the demand, as opposed to reacting to them. Actively monitoring crime statistics, trends, and problem areas within the community helps determine future needs. Patrol Bureau The Personnel Allocation Model (PAM) is a tool created by the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration that allows police departments to enter a variety of data that includes: calls for service, service population, geographic area, desired response time, average speed limit, desired number of times a patrol car is seen by members of the public in a given area, into a database and the PAM tool provides a model for optimal desired staffing levels for first responders. In past years, the workload within the Patrol Bureau was strictly based on emergency and non-emergency calls that were received in the Communication Center. Today as technology advances, people are requesting services or voicing concerns using many different avenues instead of the typical 911 calls. These avenues include: the internet via www.capecops.com, Police Department Citizen Surveys, multiple social media sites, elected officials, Citizen Actions Center, or other city departments. Although the social media avenues do explain that they are not monitored for emergency services, and to utilize 911 for all emergencies, citizens still continue to post requests for police services. The number of requests received from these different sources are increasing daily; therefore, increasing the amount of activities that the officers in the Patrol Bureau are tasked to handle. The Patrol Bureau will be investigating a tracking method for these types of service requests so that accurate statistics will be available for determining future staffing needs. Cape Coral has seen an increase in businesses located in the South District. During 2015, a total of 69 new businesses opened in this area including: accounting firms, automotive services, a detective agency, home health care services, a beauty salon, pet services, computer services, and much more. Five existing businesses are expanding Cape Coral Police Department Multi-Year Plan 2016 – 2018 10 | P a g e
their locations to accommodate additional patrons. During 2016, Big Blu Brewing, Cigar
Bar, Waffle House, Downtowner Car Wash, and Mona Lisa Pizza will be joining the South
Business District. With increased activity and more businesses, the law enforcement
needs of the community will increase. The types of needs may not warrant an emergency
response; perhaps just a business contact, and no police report. These types of needs
are not necessarily tracked in our traditional computer system; therefore, the statistical
information is not reflecting these areas of service that are continuing to tax existing
resources, and increase the need for more police officers.
The projected workload for the Patrol Bureau during FY2016 to FY2018 is rising as a
result of an increased amount of requested services from non-traditional sources. The
Department has seen a 25.6% decrease in the combined “Self-Initiated” and “Traffic
Stops” call types, which indicates that police officers are busy servicing more reactive call
types, and not allowing for more proactive policing. Additional staffing is approved for
future years in order to address the needs of the community.
The table below reflects the traditional Calls for Service data. The comparison from 2014
to 2015 shows an 18% decrease in “Self-initiated” activity, a 3% decrease in “Citizen Calls
for Service”, and a 7% decrease in “Traffic Stops.” Due to vacancies within the Patrol
Bureau, these result are reflecting an expected outcome. As staffing levels increase,
officers will be available to conduct more “Self-Initiated” activities and “Traffic Stops.”
Comparison
2014 vs
2011 2012 2013 2014 2015
2015
Citizen Calls 84,260 84,611 84,446 92,901 89,738 -3%
for Service
Self-Initiated 98,878 86,189 74,857 60,427 49,391 -18%
Activity
Administrative 83,905 78,769 74,780 73,792 94,035 27%
Traffic Stops 23,162 25,223 24,370 25,612 23,729 -7%
TOTAL 290,205 274,792 258,453 252,732 256,893 2%
EVENTS
Professional Standards Bureau
The projected workload for FY 2016 to FY2018 within the Professional Standards Bureau
(PSB) is expected to move along its projected path of expansion, by filling current and
future vacancies within the agency. This is due to activity in several areas: the continued
hiring and recruitment efforts of both sworn and non-sworn personnel, the upcoming
Cape Coral Police Department Multi-Year Plan 2016 – 2018 11 | P a g eCommission for Florida Law Enforcement Accreditation (CFA) and Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA) accreditations, and the continual push for more diverse in-house training. In addition to addressing both internal and external complaints, PSB has taken on the responsibility of handling sensitive investigations within the other departments of the city. Staffing changes have occurred within PSB to address the increased complexity and demands of the workload. A Lieutenant was added in October of 2015, thus alleviating many of the internal affairs duties from the Sergeant. This enables the Sergeant to assist in the hiring, recruitment, and Worker’s Compensation issues of the department, while still having the ability to assist with internal investigations as needed. Also in October of 2015, an additional background detective became certified as a polygraphist. This brings the total to two background detectives who are polygraphists and streamlines the hiring process even further. The Training Unit’s workload is expected to increase. The goal of increasing training by 5% for FY 2016 to FY 2018 with the ongoing Pre-deployment training, does strain the Unit’s resources. In September of 2015, an officer was temporarily assigned to assist with this expansion of the workload. The officer continued with this temporary assignment into the first quarter of FY 2016. The training unit has also taken on the department’s deployment of Body Worn Cameras (BWC). This involves training across the entire department. It also involves the maintenance, monitoring, and assistance with the storage of captured video. The use of BWC, and the continuation of advanced training sessions, will allow for an even better quality of service to our community, more accountability, and transparency. The BWC policy continues to be developed and updated as the number of BWC increases within the Department. Investigative Services Bureau The Investigative Services Bureau (ISB) works with the community to solve crimes, helps bring offenders to justice, and supports the recovery of victims. The future outlook for ISB is an increased workload, as case assignments in the financial crimes area has continued to increase. In 2015, 679 cases were assigned for investigation, compared to 496 in 2014, which reflects a 37% increase in financial crimes alone. If this upward trend Cape Coral Police Department Multi-Year Plan 2016 – 2018 12 | P a g e
continues, additional staffing may be required to handle the volume of financial crime
cases.
CCPD
CCPD CCPD Total CCPD National CCPD National Total CCPD National CCPD National
Total CCPD Property Property Property Property Property Violent Violent Violent Violent Violent
Reported Crime Crime Crime Crime Crime Crime Crime Crime Crime Crime Crime
Year Crime Rate Reported Rate Rate Clearance Clearance Reported Rate Rate Clearance Clearance
2010 4063 2467 3787 2229.7 2941.9 23.6% 18.3% 276 167.6 403.6 60.9% 47.2%
2011 4225 2701 3990 2551.6 2908.7 25.20% 18.60% 235 150.2 386.3 71.5% 47.7%
2012 3754 2344 3521 2198 2859.2 23.8% 19.0% 229 142.9 386.9 67.7% 46.8%
2013 3572 2215 3375 2093 2730.7 20.6% 19.70% 197 122.1 367.9 58.4% 48.1%
2014 3513 2149* 3271 2001 2596.1 19.0% 20.20% 242 148 365.5 56.6% 47.4%
2015 3339 2042* 3136 1918 No data 20.4% No data 203 124.1 No Data 60.6% No Data
*Based on a population from FBI 2014 (163,461)
According to the table above, in 2015, the clearance rates for property crimes and violent
crimes increased to 20.4% and 60.6%, respectively. The statistics reflect the results of
dedication, hard work, and professionalism within the Cape Coral Police Department in
maintaining a safe community.
Special Operations Bureau
An increased workload for the Special Operations Bureau is projected for the future due
to an increased effort to reduce the total amount of serious injuries and fatal traffic crashes
occurring on the streets of Cape Coral. At the beginning of FY 2016, three additional
traffic officers were added to the Traffic Unit to assist with the increasing traffic
enforcement activities. Additional grant funding of $25,000 was awarded to the
Department, by the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT), for Impaired Driving
Enforcement for FY 2016. In 2014, the total number of these types of incidents were 40;
in 2015 totals were 50, which reflects a 25% increase. The FY 2016 goal is to reduce the
total number of these accident types to 32, or a decrease of 36%.
Cape Coral Police Department Multi-Year Plan 2016 – 2018 13 | P a g eIn FY 2016, additional grant funds totaling $20,000 were awarded to the agency specifically for the Pedestrian and Bicycle Safety and Awareness Program. The grant funds will be utilized to further promote pedestrian and bicycle safety through educational and enforcement operations. Communications and Logistical Support Bureau The projected workload for the Communications and Logistical Support Bureau is expected to increase during FY 2016 to FY 2018, due to a continuing estimated population increase and the historical upward trend in calls for service that comes with growth. The Communication Center operates 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, which requires a minimum number of individuals in order to maintain proper telephone and dispatch coverage. The agency’s minimum staffing policy, during the hours of 2:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m., is six individuals; during the hours of 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 a.m. it’s seven individuals. Staffing ratios are calculated in a formula by inputting the actual number of coverage hours for the year, seven key positions, and the total amount of scheduled leave-time from the prior year. Due to the high number of vacancies and low scheduled leave-time amounts, the actual staffing ratio for 2015 decreased. As vacant positions are filled, the estimated ratio figures are projected to increase as new staff members will be eligible for leave-time following their probationary time frame. When the Communication Center is fully staffed in future years, it will allow for staffing ratios of 6.0 and above. The lower ratio figures indicate that existing staff members are handling higher workloads than in prior years. Mandatory overtime is initiated in order to maintain proper coverage levels. The chart on the next page reflects the staffing ratios from 2015 projected through 2018. The actual staffing ratio in 2015 was 5.03, in 2016 the estimated increase is 5.21, remaining at the same level in 2017, and the estimated increase is projected to be 5.29 in 2018, based on anticipated vacant positions being filled. Cape Coral Police Department Multi-Year Plan 2016 – 2018 14 | P a g e
Staffing Ratio
5.35
5.25
5.15
Staffing Ratio 24x7
5.05
4.95
4.85
2015 2016 2017 2018
The Communication Center handles all emergency and non-emergency telephone calls.
The chart reflects the total number of calls and incidents handled since 2012. The term
“Calls Handled” is used for all calls received by the Communication Center, including calls
that do not require any dispatched services from police personnel. These calls have
increased 30% since 2012. Staffing levels are not necessarily increased to handle the
increased volume of calls, as supervisors and teletype personnel also have the ability to
answer the calls. The “Incidents Handled,” or more commonly known as “Calls for
Service,” is a term used for referencing calls that require officers to be dispatched for
assistance. These types of calls have decreased 4% from 2014 to 2015, or 13% since
2012.
Incidents vs. Calls Handled
300000
250000
200000
150000 Incidents Handled
Calls Handled
100000
50000
0
2012 2013 2014 2015
Cape Coral Police Department Multi-Year Plan 2016 – 2018 15 | P a g eGoals and Objectives Patrol Bureau The Patrol Bureau is broken down into three distinct districts: North, Central, and South, and each District is then divided into five separate zones. The Captains of the Patrol Bureau have implemented “Chat and Chew” monthly meetings. These meetings are an opportunity for them to visit local restaurants, enjoy the food, and personally meet with the management staff. This allows for open and informal conversation to discuss concerns or any issues that may be occurring in or around their business, in a relaxed atmosphere. These meetings allow business owners to observe the Cape Coral Police Department working proactively in keeping the community safe, and that law enforcement is legitimately concerned about them. Chat and Chew meetings will be continuing in the future. The Cape Coral Police Department monitors and predicts future staffing levels in the Patrol Bureau by using tools including, but limited to: the Patrol Allocation Model (PAM), analyzing population trends, crime rates, Calls for Service, and quality of life issues. The current authorized staffing figure for first responders is 131. According to PAM and taking into account the 2% increase in Total Events, which are reflected in the table on page 11, the Cape Coral Police Department anticipates a need to increase future staffing in order to continue providing the best possible police services to the community. The Patrol Bureau added one additional Police Officer in FY2016 to align with the recommendations depicted in the most recent PAM assessment. In the Patrol Bureau, the “Power-Shift” was used to assist during peak times of service needs, from 3:00 p.m. to 3:00 a.m. Vacant positions increased during the past several years due to attrition, retirement, resignation, or medical issues; therefore, the power shift was unable to be staffed. The Patrol Bureau is continuing with plans to reinstate the permanent power-shift into the daily schedule, as more vacant positions are filled, in order to assist in improving response times to Calls for Service, decrease citizen complaints, and allow for more proactive policing. The last several years have revealed a downturn in Part 1 crimes as demonstrated by the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR), the UCR rate for 2013 was 2,217; decreased to 2,149 in 2014; and again decreased to 2042 in 2015. The UCR data supports the conclusion upon review that the Cape Coral Police Department is working proactively and efficiently in keeping the UCR rate under the 2100 goal, but does not address the increasing needs of the agency in regards to actual response times and effective measures in dealing with traffic related problems and quality of life issues. Cape Coral Police Department Multi-Year Plan 2016 – 2018 16 | P a g e
Professional Standards Bureau
The Professional Standards Bureau (PSB) consists of Internal Affairs, Personnel and
Training, Accreditation, and Payroll.
Recruitment
Over the last year, the PSB has been able to keep an ongoing list of available candidates
for hiring Law Enforcement Officers (LEO). By following this method, PSB is able to
quickly retrieve a viable candidate; therefore, making for a more streamlined and efficient
approach. Once the list is exhausted, a posting is completed in order to maintain a new
list and quickly hire the top candidates. The PSB continues to monitor recruitment efforts
in order to ensure that we continue to attract top quality candidates.
Civilian vacancies continue to be posted as positions become available. This effort fulfills
the goal to fill current and anticipated vacancies. PSB has also considered extending the
Communication and Logistical Support Bureau’s posted openings for a longer period of
time to assist with maintaining a list of quality candidates available to fill the positions,
similar to what is being done with LEOs. This listing of qualified candidates would be
valid for one year.
Both the Professional Standards Bureau and the
Communication and Logistical Support Bureau
continue to combine their recruitment efforts by
participating in job/career fairs at colleges and
universities in Florida. Staff members are starting to
travel further out across the state to seek potential
graduates as future employees within the Cape Coral
Police Department. The average has risen from two to
approximately six events each year. Examples of the
locations visited by both bureaus are: Keiser University,
Rasmussen College, Hodges University, Florida South
Western State College (FSW), Florida Atlantic
University (FAU), North Nicholas High School,
Southwest Florida Public Service Academy. They also
are traveling to St. Leo University the first quarter of
2016. The Cape Coral Police Department continues its
Internship Programs with Florida Gulf Coast University (FGCU) and FSW to assist
recruitment efforts. The events have been successful in relaying information regarding
employment opportunities within the Cape Coral Police Department and attracting
qualified candidates. Continued participation is planned for future years.
Cape Coral Police Department Multi-Year Plan 2016 – 2018 17 | P a g eIn 2016, the Cape Coral Police Department
continued its partnership with a local talk-show host,
Lee Pitts, host of the award-winning show, “Lee Pitts
Live.” Through this partnership, the Cape Coral
Police Department created a 30-second commercial
to reach the thousands of Lee Pitts viewers
throughout the five-county region of Southwest
Florida. The Department similarly partnered with the
Southwest Florida Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
and participates in its job fairs, and collaborated with the National Minority Online
Advertising to utilize recruitment with them.
Training
Cape Coral Police Headquarters has a first-rate training facility within the current building,
which is utilized for meetings and educational opportunities for staff members, the general
public, other city departments, and other police agencies. As a Florida Department of
Law Enforcement (FDLE) certified training facility, the goal is to continue to grow the
catalog of advanced/specialized training opportunities at Police Headquarters. The
Department has also become a host facility in South Florida for the Institute of Police
Technology and Management (IPTM). This has enabled us to offer even more advanced
and specialized training opportunities. This increase in our ability for state and regional
training classes will allow our officers and officers from other agencies the capability to
better themselves, their departments, and their communities.
Research is underway for a partnership with the Northwestern University Center for Public
Safety (NUCPS) in order to present a ten-week School of Police Staff and Command
course at the Police Department. The SPSC course prepares law enforcement managers
for senior positions by combining academic principles with practical applications. The
anticipated course date would be sometime in early 2017.
Accreditation
The Cape Coral Police Department continues to affirm its
commitment to professionalism through accreditation by the
Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, Inc.
(CALEA). The Department has received the Meritorious Award for
being accredited for 16 years. And, for 9 of the last 16 years, the
Department received accreditation with top honors. The next
CALEA on-site assessment will take place in 2017.
The Cape Coral Police Department is also accredited through the State of Florida
Commission for Florida Accreditation (CFA). Successful CFA Comparative Compliance
Cape Coral Police Department Multi-Year Plan 2016 – 2018 18 | P a g eaccreditation was achieved for the Police Department in September 2013 at a CFA Commission hearing in Sarasota. The Department is currently involved in the re- accreditation of CFA with the on-site assessment ongoing thru the summer of 2016. Investigative Services Bureau The Investigative Services Bureau (ISB) is comprised of Major Crimes, Property Crimes, Street Crimes, Financial Crimes, Vice, Intelligence and Narcotics (VIN), Forensics, and Evidence. In keeping with the goal of maintaining contact and partnerships with other law enforcement agencies and professional organizations, ISB staff will continue to attend meetings, luncheons, and conferences during FY 2016 – FY 2018. During FY 2017, the goal is to add an Intelligence Detective position to the VIN unit. This will not be an additional staffing request, but rather a title change to an existing position. The Intelligence Detective will be responsible for monitoring social media for criminal activity as well as become a liaison to the Joint Terrorism Task Force (JTTF) and the Florida Fusion Center. The Joint Terrorism Task Force (JTTF) is our nation’s front line on terrorism: small cells of highly trained, locally based, passionately committed investigators, analysts, linguists, SWAT experts, and other specialists from dozens of U.S. law enforcement and intelligence agencies. The Florida Fusion Center is a collaboration of multidisciplinary intelligence agencies that collect, analyze, and disseminate critical intelligence and information to monitor, prevent, and investigate terrorism and other criminal activities. In continuing with the goals of increasing opportunities for more advance training courses the ISB staff members will be attending courses in FY 2016 such as: Child Abduction Response Team Training, Internet Crimes Against Children, Practical Homicide Investigations, and Criminal Drug Interdiction Techniques and Concealment Locations. These courses allow officers to stay up-to-date on current crime investigation techniques and issues. Evaluation of the sworn staffing levels within the Financial Crimes Unit is currently underway, due to increasing amounts of White Collar cases. Clerical tasks are also on the rise as a result of the higher workloads, and ongoing research is indicating the need for a Customer Service Representative within this unit in the future. Cape Coral Police Department Multi-Year Plan 2016 – 2018 19 | P a g e
The United States Attorney General is going to require that all department-run forensic labs be accredited by the year 2020. In 2020, Federal prosecutors will be required to use only accredited forensic labs, when practical. In order to continue receiving federal case information for processing, the Forensic Division must comply with the requirements. Currently, the Forensic Division is researching information in regards to Forensics Unit Accreditation under the International Organization for Standardization/International Electrotechnical Commission (ISO/IEC) 17020 standard. Cost analysis, timelines, and various other details are being compiled for review. An additional staff member will be needed in the future to address the increasing digital forensic workload and to act as the team leader of this discipline, which is a requirement for accreditation. Grant funding research is also being done at this time. Currently, deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) forensic case evidence is processed by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE), or contracted out to a private lab. FDLE is utilized by most agencies in the Florida area; therefore, the volume of samples received is very high, causing long wait time for results. Research is underway by the Forensic Division on the possibly of adding a small DNA lab to the division. Information is being gathered on the costs involved in obtaining small specialized DNA lab equipment, personnel needs, and training. Special Operations Bureau The Special Operations Bureau is compromised of the Traffic Unit, K-9, Marine, Aviation, Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT), Police Volunteer Unit, and School Crossing Guards. In FY 2017, a Lieutenant position is approved for the Special Operations Bureau. The Lieutenant will be used to enhance oversight and accountability within the Bureau. Cape Coral Police Department Multi-Year Plan 2016 – 2018 20 | P a g e
The Traffic Unit will continue to participate in the State Driving Under the Influence
(DUI)/Traffic Enforcement Challenge in FY 2016 – FY 2018. This program is a traffic
safety program designed to recognize an agency’s
effectiveness of efforts in reducing impaired driving. The
purpose is to increase impaired driving program education
and enforcement in conjunction with community partners,
typically reducing impaired driving related motor vehicle
crashes, impaired driving related serious injury crashes,
and impaired driving related fatality crashes upon
Florida’s roadways. The Florida DUI Challenge
compliments all other training and public information
programs.
With renewed High Visibility Enforcement (HVE) grant funds for FY 2016, traffic
enforcement activities will continue to address both the impaired driving issues, and the
pedestrian and bicycle safety within the community. The volume of traffic complaints has
also increased, which is another area that the traffic unit will continue to address.
SWAT team participation in the Regional competitions will be continued in future years.
The purpose of the competitions allow SWAT teams the opportunity to practice training
principles and tactic models in order to sharpen skills that can be used in the field.
The Tactical EMS program (TEMS) is designed to train SWAT operators tactical medical
skills in the absence of readily available medical services. This program aggressively
addresses traumatic wounds and treatment for preventable causes of death. The goal of
the Special Operations Bureau is to have all SWAT operators certified in tactical medicine
for law enforcement, being proficient at applying both self-aid and regular aid during a
lethal force encounter. In 2016, the SWAT
team received familiarization training for
this program and has been provided with
continuous training in an attempt to further
their skills. This type of training is
paramount to saving lives in critical
incidents, and further training
opportunities will be afforded. All SWAT
members are currently outfitted with the
proper individual first-aid kits that coincide
with the training they have received.
Cape Coral Police Department Multi-Year Plan 2016 – 2018 21 | P a g eThis program is also being extended to the Patrol Bureau as well, at a familiarization level. This is with the intent that future grant funds will be applied to the proper equipment for further training of all sworn law enforcement officers. The Training Unit is also preparing advanced courses and programs to build on the previous training received during our yearly in-service. Communications and Logistical Support Bureau The Communication and Logistical Support Bureau consists of Communications, Records, False Alarm Reduction Unit (FARU), Quartermaster, and Court Liaison. The Accreditation process for the Communications Bureau involves assessors from the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA) to conduct an on- site assessment to verify compliance with 212 Communications Assessment standards. During FY 2016, Communication and Logistical Support Bureau staff are reviewing and exploring the need for education at the elementary school level for 911 awareness. The program would involve going into the classrooms and conducting presentations with class participation. The goals would be to enhance knowledge and educate students, starting at a younger age, the importance of 911, on how, when, why, and why not to use 911, teach kids the importance of not pranking calls to 911, and knowing their home address and phone number. In FY 2016, with the pending retirement of key personnel within the Records Section, staff members will be attending the Records Management class in order to stay current with retention policy and Florida State Statute, Chapter 119 rules. During FY 2016 – FY 2018, training opportunities will be available for staff members within the Communication Center to maintain compliance with the educational requirements for Communication Center certifications, which is 20 hours of training opportunity every two years. In FY 2016, with increased vacancies in the Communication Center, participation at local job/career fairs will be scheduled in order to promote and educate future graduates on the opportunities available within the Cape Coral Police Department. Research is also underway on the possibility of creating a television commercial for the Communication Center to address employment opportunities. The Records Section has completed the conversion process for 100 out of 227 rolls of microfilm containing criminal investigation reports that were in a deteriorated state. Due Cape Coral Police Department Multi-Year Plan 2016 – 2018 22 | P a g e
to changes in the procurement thresholds for yearly spending, the completed conversion process for the remaining rolls will be FY 2018. In 2017, the on-site assessment with be scheduled for both the Communications Bureau and the law enforcement re-accreditation. At that time, an on-site inspection will be completed by CALEA assessors reviewing the documentation of compliance with the established set of professional standards in order to determine the re-accreditation status. The performance measure goals established for FY 2016 are: 90% of all calls answered within 10 seconds, and calls are dispatched within two minutes. Contributing factors in regards to being able to dispatch a call are: total call volume at the time, call priority levels, and the number of vacant positions within the Patrol Bureau. Vacancies within the Patrol Bureau are a large factor in the ability to dispatch a call for service. If vacancies are high, lower priority calls can’t be dispatched when there aren’t sufficient officers available to respond to the calls. The Communications Center is continuing to work to attain the established goals. Office of the Chief of Police The Office of the Chief fuses a unique combination of law enforcement, community, and administrative responsibilities. Chief Connelly was appointed to the position on January 2, 2014, after joining the force in 1988 and rising through the ranks. On May 31, 2016, after 28 years of service, Chief Connelly retired from the Police Department. The City Manager has assigned Deputy Chief Newlan as Interim Chief, and Captain Barnes as Interim Deputy Chief. In 2018, the Cape Coral Police Department is looking to reinstate the second Deputy Chief position that was eliminated in 2010. Responsibilities will be split between the two Deputy Chief positions. One will oversee Operations, which consists of Investigative Services Bureau, Patrol Bureau, and Special Operations, and the other will be responsible for Administration, which includes Budget, Communications and Logistical Support Bureau, Planning and Research, and the Professional Standards Bureau. Public Affairs Office The most visible responsibility of the Public Affairs Office is media relations. The Public Affairs Officer is on call to the department 24 hours a day, 365 days per year, and coordinates all inquiries from the media, serves as the agency’s spokesperson, and arranges interviews between the media and members of the department. In 2011, the Cape Coral Police Department started out with a total of three social media platforms- Cape Coral Police Department Multi-Year Plan 2016 – 2018 23 | P a g e
Facebook, Twitter, and Youtube. In 2015, the Department added two additional social networks to its lineup Vimeo, a premium video sharing and hosting platform, and Soundcloud a premium audio sharing site, bringing the total to twelve social media platforms. The Public Affairs Officer also manages the Police Department’s website and growing presence on social media. The Public Affairs Office was awarded Edward Byrne Justice Assistance Grant funds to upgrade aging computer, camera equipment, and audio equipment. During FY 2016 – FY 2018 the web video recordings will be transitioning to 4K video. Cape Coral Police Department Multi-Year Plan 2016 – 2018 24 | P a g e
Strategic Plan The Mission Statement: The City of Cape Coral will provide its citizens with services in the most efficient and effective manner possible, while maintaining a positive, safe, and caring community with a united spirit. The Strategic Planning Session for the Cape Coral Police Department took place in July 2013 to discuss needs and issues facing the Department for 2014 - 2016. An outline was developed as a result of the Session to categorize the most important topics identified by members of the Department, which included recruitment, technology upgrades, and career development. The Multi-Year Plan for 2014 - 2016 addressed these topics in great detail. The Cape Coral Police Department has accomplished the following strategic items: 1. The Recruitment Plan for Professional Standards Bureau 2. Body Camera implementation and training 3. Laptop Computer replacements 4. Interview Room upgrade of audio/video system 5. Actively working to reduce crime levels 6. Continue to increase training opportunities The following strategic items are being done on a continual basis: 1. Vehicle replacements 2. In-car video camera replacements 3. Motorola Portable Radio replacements 4. Actively working to reduce crime levels 5. Continue to increase training opportunities 6. Public Safety Training Facility Cape Coral Police Department Multi-Year Plan 2016 – 2018 25 | P a g e
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