Explanation
This ordinance establishes funding for the Department of Public Safety to acquire and deploy an early warning system.
An early warning system (EWS) is a benchmarking tool that can be utilized to identify patterns in the behavior of police officers. For those officers demonstrating a pattern of problematic behavior, an EWS can provide for the ability to intervene and correct unprofessional behavior before it escalates to misconduct or any other undesirable outcome. At the same time, a benchmarking tool can also be used to reinforce positive conduct, to support officers, and to foster a stronger sense of community within the police ranks.
In consideration of recent events, the Division of Police has initiated an evaluation of potential early warning system products, and a recommendation on a selected product is shortly anticipated. In order to avoid any delay in the contracting, acquisition, and deployment process, this funding is being made available now, prior to passage of the 2021 operating budget.
Fiscal Impact: Funding is available within the Public Safety Initiatives subfund.
Emergency action is requested in order to avoid any delay in the acquisition and deployment of a Police early warning system.
Title
To authorize an appropriation within the Public Safety Initiatives subfund for the purpose of acquiring and deploying a Police early warning system; and to declare an emergency. ($250,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, an early warning system (EWS) is a benchmarking tool that can be utilized to identify patterns in the behavior of police officers; and
WHEREAS, for those officers demonstrating a pattern of problematic behavior, an EWS can provide for the ability to intervene and correct unprofessional behavior before it escalates to misconduct or any other undesirable outcome; and
WHEREAS, in consideration of recent events, the Division of Police has initiated an evaluation of potential early warning system products, and a recommendation on a selected product is shortly anticipated; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily business of the city in that it is immediately necessary to authorize the acquisition of an early warning system to avoid any delay in the deployment of said system; now, therefore,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1. That the City Auditor is hereby authorized and directed to appropriate $250,000.00 within the Public Safety Initiatives subfund, fund 1000, subfund 100016, per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 2. That the monies in the foregoing Sections shall be paid upon order of the Director of Public Safety, and that no order shall be drawn or money paid except by voucher, the form of which shall be approved by the City Auditor.
SECTION 3. That for reasons stated in the preamble hereto, which is hereby made a part hereof, this ordinance is hereby declared an emergency measure and shall take effect and be enforced from and after its passage and approval by the Mayor, or ten days after passage if the Mayor neither approves nor vetoes the same. That this ordinance shall take effect and be in force from and after the earliest period allowed by law.