Title
Approval to Use $11,500 from Asset Forfeiture Funds for Law Enforcement Management Training
Recommended Action
Committee Recommendation:
Not referred to Committee
City Manager Recommendation:
Move to approve the use of $11,500 of Asset Forfeiture funds for Police management training.
Report
Issue:
The Police Department management team, from first line supervisors through the Chief, attended management training in preparation for significant strategic planning. The Department asks that the cost of the week-long training be paid out of the Asset Forfeiture fund.
Staff Contact:
Laura Wohl, Administrative Services Manager
Police Department
360.753.8214
Presenter(s):
NA
Background and Analysis:
The Olympia Police Department completed a large asset forfeiture process in late 2001, following criminal convictions in a homicide case. The net proceeds, $369,247, were placed in the Special Accounts Control Fund, Seizure and Forfeiture Account ("Asset Forfeiture Fund"). By statute, money seized and/or forfeited as a result of criminal behavior must be used "exclusively for the expansion and improvement of law enforcement activities," and the funds may not be used to supplant pre-existing funding sources (RCW 10.105.010).
When the Asset Forfeiture Fund was established in 2002, Council determined that one of the primary purposes for its use was to invest in our employees by providing them with special training and educational opportunities that would otherwise not be affordable. Each year since the fund was created, the Department has used a portion of the fund balance to provide that type of training.
Prior to embarking on a comprehensive strategic planning process, the entire supervisory and management team of the Department attended "The Leadership Academy", a week-long course focusing on leadership, organizational structure, and team building. The training provided the foundations for creating an organization that builds public trust, empowers employees and plans for the future.
Neighborhood/Community Interests (if known):
NA
Options:
Approve expenditure of approximately $11,500 from the Asset Forfeiture Fund for specialized training.
· Preserves the General Fund training budget for the Department.
· Further drains the Asset Forfeiture Fund
Elect not to expend Asset Forfeiture Fund monies for this purpose.
· Preserves the money in the Asset Forfeiture Fund.
· Restricts the Department's ability to provide other training opportunities to staff through the General Fund budget
Financial Impact:
$11,500 of the special Asset Forfeiture fund. The fund balance as of May 31, 2014 is $123,334.14.