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CONTRACT K-1819-88: A MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING BY AND BETWEEN THE CITY OF NORMAN, OKLAHOMA, AND THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY’S OFFICE, DISTRICT 21 (CLEVELAND COUNTY) ALLOWING THE NORMAN POLICE DEPARTMENT TO USE TWO (2) NEW VEHICLES PURCHASED BY THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY’S OFFICE, DISTRICT 21 AND BUDGET APPROPRIATION FROM THE SEIZURES AND RESTITUTION FUND BALANCE.
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BACKGROUND: The mission of the Norman Police Department is to maintain and enhance the quality of life in the City of Norman by protecting life, liberty, property, and keeping the peace. The pursuit of this mission requires specific capabilities be acquired and maintained to deliver the expected police services. The aspects of the services should include continued collaboration with community organizations and community members to help better the over-all quality of life for Norman citizens. The services also require officers must possess equipment capable of enforcing laws and carrying out the vision and mission statement of the agency.
Awarded Federal Seizure funds come from activity associated with the enforcement of narcotics and illegal drug laws. Money or property seized during this law enforcement activity is subject to forfeiture following a judicial review and finding that such a seizure is appropriate. Typically, the City of Norman will receive a share of forfeited property along with other law enforcement agencies participating in the law enforcement activities. United States Federal Code allows that money or property awarded to law enforcement agencies be for operations. This item requests Council to appropriate Federal Seizure Fund balance into these Norman Police Department operational accounts for use toward the accomplishment of the specified law enforcement purposes.
District 21 has provided the Norman Police Department with two new Chevrolet Tahoes, purchased by Cleveland County District Attorney’s Office, District 21 task force. The vehicles were then donated to Norman Police Department for Norman Police use. The vehicles are currently in the possession of the Norman Police Department, awaiting the disposition of this agenda item.
DISCUSSION: The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was entered upon between the City of Norman and the District Attorney’s Office District 21, whereas D21 purchased two vehicles, through seizure funds, for Norman Police use. The MOU stipulates that “loaned” vehicles, two 2019 Chevrolet Tahoes, to be used for general purpose police activities, with the City of Norman providing regular service and repair to the loaned vehicles during the duration of possession. Ownership of the vehicles remains with the District Attorney’s Office, District 21. This arrangement saves the City of Norman approximately $80,000 for purchase of new vehicles. (See attached MOU, contract K-1819-88).
The appropriation requested will fund the Norman Police Department to purchase emergency LED lighting systems, radio console housing, audible siren system, lockable gun rack, canine heat alarm warning system, lockable trunk vault, and canine kennel, and other associated equipment needs to outfit two SUV vehicles used by canine officers. The funding needed for the Norman Police Department to receive and maintain the identified units is not available in FY19 accounts.
This equipment is important to the safety of Norman Police Canine Officers, and their canine partners, while they perform their duties. The emergency LED lighting system alerts other drivers to the officer’s presence during traffic stops or general citizen contacts along the roadways, along with notifying individuals of potential road hazards ahead of them. Additionally, the lockable trunk vault and gun rack ensures that police equipment is secure within the vehicles when left unattended. Over the past few years, many burglaries to law enforcement vehicles have occurred across the state, which led to the theft of guns and body armor. With that in mind, the trunk vault and gun rack can mitigate the potential for this to occur. Furthermore, the canine kennel and canine heat alarm-warning system will help keep the department canines safe. The kennel provides safety and shelter for the canines while they are inside the vehicles. Kennels help ensure the safety of canines in the event of a vehicle accident and secure them inside the vehicle so they do not exit without being under control of their handlers. The heat alarm-warning system alerts officers when the interior vehicle temperature rises to dangerous levels for the canines. An audible alarm prompts the officers of the situation so they can address the issue and properly take care of their canine partner.
The estimated cost to outfit two vehicles with the equipment is $44,443.42 ($35,532 for installation and purchase of emergency lighting, Heat Alarm alert system, impact dog crates, truck vault for kennel, associated lighting and installation hardware, antennas, siren, etc., and $8,911.42 for police radio / scanner and associated mounting hardware). See attached quotes from Metro Emergency Upfitters LLC and Stolz Telecom LLC.
RECOMMENDATION NO. ONE: Staff recommends approval of the Memorandum of Understanding with the District Attorney’s Office, District 21 to allow use of the vehicles by the Norman Police Department.
RECOMMENDATION NO. TWO: It is recommended that $45,000 be appropriated from the Federal Seizure Fund Balance Account (025-0000-253.20-00) to Federal Seizure Fund/Maintenance Supplies Outside Fleet Parts - (025-6038-421.32-03).