SR-08-25-2015-7C
City Council
Report
City Council Regular Meeting: August 25, 2015
Agenda Item: 7.C
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To: Mayor and City Council
From: Jacqueline Seabrooks, Police Chief, Police Department
Subject: Introduction for First Reading of an Ordinance Updating the List of Job
Classifications with Authority in Santa Monica Municipal Code 3.36.090 and
Updating the Definition of “Enforcement Officer” in Santa Monica Municipal
Code 1.09.020
Recommended Action
Staff recommends that the City Council introduce for first reading the attached
ordinance amending the definition of “enforcement officer” as defined in the list of
personnel in Santa Monica Municipal Code Section 1.09.020 and the job classifications
of those Police Department employees granted enforcement authority as specified in
Santa Monica Municipal Code Section 3.36.090.
Executive Summary
In 2014, the Police Department consolidated several field-based civilian (non-sworn)
employee classifications to create the new Public Services Officer (PSO) classification.
The PSO classification, and its associated managerial and supervisory structure, is
comprised of employees formerly classified as Downtown Services Officers, Park
Rangers, and Airport Services Officers. In addition, the Police Department updated the
job description for the Pier and Harbor Services Officer (PHSO) classification to allow
for increased citation authority. As a result of these changes, Section 3.36.090 of the
Santa Monica Municipal Code lists job classifications that are outdated and does not
include the newly updated classifications. The attached ordinance would correct the
language contained in Section 3.36.090 by adding the updated classifications and
removing the outdated classifications.
In line with the amendment proposed to Section 3.36.090, Section 1.09.020 would
simultaneously be updated to add PSO and PHSO to the definition of “enforcement
officer”.
Background
Beginning in 2012, the Police Department initiated an organizational assessment to
examine its internal operating efficiencies. The consolidation and reclassification of the
Downtown Services Officers, Park Rangers, and Airport Services Officers into the
classification of PSOs, along with updating the PHSO position description, represented
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one aspect of the Department’s improvement efforts. By making these changes, the
Department was able to combine three similar niche positions, cross-train the members
of those units, and thereby create a larger, more versatile group of civilian field
personnel capable of performing a broader set of duties and responsibilities throughout
the city.
Santa Monica Municipal Code 1.09.020 provides a definition of an “enforcement officer”.
The definition could be improved and clarified by adding City Public Services Officer,
City Lead Public Services Officer, City Public Services Officer Supervisor, City Public
Services Administrator, Pier and Harbor Services Officer, Lead Pier and Harbor
Services Officer, and City Pier and Harbor Services Supervisor to the list of personnel
captured in the definition.
Santa Monica Municipal Code 3.36.090 grants enforcement authority to certain
specified civilian (non-sworn) personnel. Section 3.36.090 in conjunction with Penal
Code Section 836.5, enables those in these classifications to make arrests or write
notice to appear citations. Currently, the Municipal Code grants this authority to 24
classifications. In order to make the list current by reflecting the changes implemented
in the Police Department, Section 3.36.090 will need to be amended to eliminate the
defunct positions of Airport Security Guard and Park Ranger and to add the following
new positions:
Public Services Officer (PSO),
Lead Public Services Officer,
Public Services Officer Supervisor,
Public Services Administrator,
Pier and Harbor Services Officer (PHSO),
Lead Pier and Harbor Services Officer, and
Pier and Harbor Services Supervisor.
Discussion
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The Police Department is proposing these amendments to the Municipal Code to
update the list of those positions defined as enforcement officers and having
enforcement authority in order to accurately reflect the current job classi fications.
This revision would clarify those Police Department positions having the enforcement
authority specifically authorized in the Municipal Code.
Following the proposed amendments, the Police Department would craft Department
policy to clarify the authority of the PSO and PHSO classifications and limit the scope of
enforcement authority in line with the position descriptions, best safety practices, and
current Memorandums of Understanding.
Alternatives
The Council could take no action, in which case, the list of employees having the
authority specified in Municipal Code 3.36.090 would remain inaccurate, a circumstance
which could hinder the ability of those employees to conduct various enforcement
activities most appropriately handled by those occu pying these position classifications.
Financial Impacts and Budget Actions
There is no immediate financial impact or budget action necessary as a result of the
recommended action.
Prepared By: Nicole Bustamante, Senior Administrative Analyst
Approved
Forwarded to Council
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Attachments:
A. Proposed Ordinance