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RESOLUTION NO. 2014-131 OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CHULA VISTA ACCEPTING $75,000 FROM THE COUNTY OF SAN DIEGO CALIFORNIA IDENTIFICATION PROGRAM, ADDING ONE AUTOMATED FINGERPRINT TECHNICIAN TO THE AUTHORIZED STAFFING OF THE POLICE DEPARTMENT AND APPROPRIATING SAID FUNDS TO THE FISCAL YEAR 2014/2015 POLICE DEPARTMENT BUDGET (4/5 VOTE REQUIRED)
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RECOMMENDED ACTION
Recommended Action
Council adopt the resolution.
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SUMMARY
On May 21, 2014, the San Diego County Cal-ID Remote Access Network (RAN) Board approved a request from the Chula Vista Police Department to fund one full-time benefited Automated Fingerprint Technician. The San Diego County Cal-ID RAN Board is the local RAN board prescribed by law in California Penal Code Section 11112.4.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
This proposed activity has been reviewed for compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and it has been determined that the activity is not a "Project" as defined under Section 15378 of the State CEQA Guidelines because it will not result in a physical change in the environment; therefore, pursuant to Section 15060(c)(3) of the State CEQA Guidelines, the activity is not subject to CEQA. Thus, no environmental review is necessary.
BOARD/COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION
Not Applicable.
DISCUSSION
The California Identification System (Cal-ID) is an automated system maintained by the State of California Department of Justice for retaining fingerprint files and identifying latent fingerprints. California Penal Code Section 11112.1 provides for the establishment of a Remote Access Network (RAN), consisting of statewide network of equipment and procedures allowing local law enforcement agencies direct access to Cal-ID. The San Diego Sheriff's Department is the county's proprietary agency for San Diego County's Cal-ID/RAN.
The San Diego County Cal-ID/RAN Board approved a request from the Chula Vista Police Department in the amount of $75,000. This funding will pay for the personnel costs of one Automated Fingerprint Technician for one year.
Fingerprint verification and entries into the Cal-ID system are a high priority for law enforcement agencies because it involves confirmation of identifications, which is a critical component of investigating cases. The Police Department currently has one Automated Fingerprint Technician, who is fully funded by Cal-ID/RAN. In fiscal year 2012/2013, this position evaluated 7,000 latent print cards and entered 1,400 latent prints into the Cal-ID system. However, the latent print section of the Police Department's Forensic Laboratory has experienced an increase of latent print cases over the past years, which created the need of another Automated Fingerprint Technician.
Without additional assistance, the Forensic Laboratory will not have the ability to keep up with the current backlog of evaluating latent prints and entering them into the Cal-ID system. The addition of a full-time Automated Fingerprint Technician will assist with the current caseload of the department and can potentially have statewide benefits to other law enforcement agencies by having prints entered into the Cal-ID system in a timely manner.
DECISION-MAKER CONFLICT
Staff has reviewed the decision contemplated by this action and has determined that it is not site specific and consequently the 500-foot rule found in California Code of Regulations section 18704.2(a)(1) is not applicable to this decision. Staff is not independently aware, nor has staff been informed by any City Councilmember, of any other fact that may constitute a basis for a decision maker conflict of interest in this matter.
LINK TO STRATEGIC GOALS
The City's Strategic Plan has five major goals: Operational Excellence, Economic Vitality, Healthy Community, Strong and Secure Neighborhoods and a Connected Community. Funds received for the California Identification Program support the goal of Strong and Secure Neighborhoods by providing fingerprint verification for Police Department cases.
CURRENT YEAR FISCAL IMPACT
Approval of this resolution will result in the appropriation of $75,000 to the fiscal year 2014/2015 Police Department personnel budget and the addition of one Automated Fingerprint Technician to the authorized staffing level of the Police Department. The funding from the County of San Diego Cal-ID Program will completely offset these personnel costs, resulting in no net fiscal impact.
ONGOING FISCAL IMPACT
The current proposal provides one year funding for the position outlined in this report. Cal-ID funding is anticipated to fund this position in subsequent fiscal years. If no additional funding is obtained, then the position may be eliminated.
Staff Contact: Jonathan Alegre