TO: Honorable Mayor & Members of the North Port Commission
FROM: Peter D. Lear, CPA, CGMA, City Manager
TITLE: Accreditation Agreement between the City of North Port, Florida and The Commission for Florida Law Enforcement Accreditation (CFA), Inc. with an annual cost of $900.
Recommended Action
Approve the Accreditation Agreement between the City of North Port, Florida and The Commission for Florida Law Enforcement Accreditation (CFA), Inc., in accordance with the fees and ancillary cost stipulated in the attached Agreement for an annual cost of $900.
Background Information
An accreditation program has long been recognized as a means of maintaining the highest standards of professionalism. Accreditation is the certification by an independent reviewing authority that an entity has met specific requirements and prescribed standards.
Accreditation is a process where an agency develops policies and procedures using state recognized and accepted standards as the foundation resulting in providing a high level of professional services to the community.
The purpose of this Agreement is to establish the relationships and set the responsibilities between the City of North Port, Florida and The Commission for Florida Law Enforcement Accreditation, Inc. (CFA) an extension of the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE). The voluntary accreditation process limits liability and strengthens the eligibility for agency grants.
The North Port Police Department joined the state process in 1998, receiving initial accreditation in 2000. An agency is reviewed for reaccreditation every three (3) years. NPPD has since received reaccreditation status in 2003, 2006, 2009, 2012, 2015 and 2018. February 2018 marked the Double Excelsior Recognition status for the department. Excelsior status means the department has received 15 years’ worth of continuous Re-Accreditation with no conditions (violations).
The reaccreditation fee associated with this Agreement is $1,800 spread over a three (3) year period, being $600 per year, along with an annual charge of $300 for the use of the Commission approved accreditation software, for a total of $900 by fiscal year.
This Agreement shall take effect once agreed upon by Commission and signed by the City Manager and shall terminate if the NPPD fails to schedule an assessment within twenty-four (24) months of signing this Agreement; or upon written notice by the NPPD that they intend to withdraw from the accreditation process; or if modifications are made by the CFA that NPPD refuses to comply with; or the NPPD cannot maintain compliance with standards set forth by CFA; or failure of the NPPD to pay all fees and costs required by this Agreement; or upon expiration or revocation of the NPPD’s accredited status.
The North Port Police Department (NPPD) currently has an Accreditation Agreement with CFA from 2013.
The proposed Agreement has been reviewed and approved by the City Attorney as to form and correctness.
Strategic Plan
Maintain the adopted level of health and public safety services.
Financial Impact
The cost of $600 for the reaccreditation fee and $300 for the use of the Commission approved accreditation software annually are budgeted in FY 19/20 pending approval. The account number for the $600.00 will be 001-2100-521-49-00 and the account number for the $300.00 will be 001-2100-521-46-01.
Procurement
This procurement is made pursuant to Section 2-403 (a)(2) procurement contracts between the city and nonprofit organizations, other governments or other public entities.
Attachments:
1. The Commission for Florida Law Enforcement Accreditation Law Enforcement Agreement
2. Procurement Competitive Exemption Form
3. Florida Division of Corporations document
Prepared by: Michael Baute, Captain - Administration Bureau
Department Director: Todd R. Garrison, Chief of Police