Using the civilian jail contract services, police officers are able to reduce the time it takes to process arrestees and return to the field to handle calls for service. On average for police officers, it takes approximately two hours to handle a prisoner through the booking process. Using the jail contract services, this processing time has been reduced to 15 minutes, allowing the police officers to return to the field more quickly to handle emergency calls for service.

Over the past three years there has been an increase in crime in the City and arrests made by the Police Department. In 2017, officers made 7,101 arrests for felonies and misdemeanors. This is a 23.4% increase in arrests from 2014, when officers made 5,619 arrests. The time saved by having the civilian jailers process the arrestees is the equivalent of having approximately (6) additional police officers on the street.

GEO Group Inc. has performed well for the department for the past 18 years. GEO’s jail staff and management has been responsive to our needs and continues to assist our officers in a critical need. 

The financial impact to the City in FY 18/19 will be $562,347. This amount was anticipated and is included in the City Budget for FY 18/19.

A one-year amendment to the agreement is being requested despite the original City Council approval allowing the contract agreement to be renewed on a 3-year basis. This is being done so all future funding opportunities can be explored over the next 12 months. The Police Department will seek a contract agreement amendment during the next budget process.

It is recommended that the City Council:

• Approve a one-year amendment to the Agreement with GEO Group Inc. in the amount not to exceed $562,347 for Fiscal Year 2018/19; and

• Authorize the City Manager or his designee to sign the agreement and make any modifications as needed on behalf of the City.

By:  Lieutenant Carl Whitney