P.O. Box 3369
Anaheim, CA 92803-
3369
www.anaheim.net
CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
City of Anaheim
POLICE DEPARTMENT
DATE: NOVEMBER 7, 2023
FROM: POLICE DEPARTMENT
SUBJECT: AGREEMENT WITH K.I.F. INVESTIGATIONS, LLC FOR
ASSET FORFEITURE SPECIALIST SERVICES
ATTACHMENT (Y/N): YES ITEM # 08
GOVERNMENT CODE § 84308 APPLIES: YES
RECOMMENDATION:
That the City Council, by Motion, waive Council Policy 4.1 and approve an agreement with K.I.F. Investigations, LLC for asset forfeiture specialist services for a one-year term with two one-year optional renewals, in a total amount not to exceed $300,000; and authorize the Chief of Police, or designee, to administer the agreement, and execute and administer any amendments or renewal options, on behalf of the City.
DISCUSSION:
The Anaheim Police Department participates in both the State of California and the Federal Department of Justice Equitable Sharing Programs. These programs allow local law enforcement to seize currency and assets derived from illegal drug trafficking. The Department of Justice allows a portion of the assets seized to be reallocated back to local law enforcement agencies for restricted use to enhance law enforcement operations.
The use of funds from the asset forfeiture program allows the Police Department to purchase equipment such as vehicles, tactical response gear, and equipment for the Air Support Unit. The funds are allocated for restricted use and are not available to supplant the General Fund and may not be used for direct personnel costs. If these funds were no longer available, the Police Department would have to solely rely on the General Fund to acquire any enhanced and supplemental law enforcement equipment.
The Anaheim Police Department currently has a contract with K.I.F. Investigations, LLC for asset forfeiture specialist services. The Police Department has reviewed the previous experience and evaluated the expertise of K.I.F. Investigations, LLC for the past year, and desires to retain the consultant to render services as outlined in the agreement.
This contract allows for the continuation of assistance to the Police Department with recognition and identification of narcotics-related assets subject to forfeiture pursuant to state and/or federal asset forfeiture laws, maintenance of an asset forfeiture case management system, filing of asset forfeiture application cases with the Orange County Agreement with K.I.F. Investigations, LLC for Asset Forfeiture Specialist Services November 7, 2023
District Attorney’s Office, and the preparation and submission of the annual Equitable Sharing Agreement and Certification (ESAC) report. In addition, the contractor reviews asset forfeiture procedures and policies, and where applicable, recommends changes to them to conform to state and federal guidelines. The consultant continuously monitors and audits seized assets that the Anaheim Police Department is either directly or indirectly involved with. At any given time, there are millions of dollars in the litigation process, which can take up to several years to adjudicate. Following up on these events is critical to ensuring the equitable sharing process is followed and adhered to. If we were not diligent in proactively seeking these assets, various sums of assets could become vulnerable. This position requires a specialized field of expertise that is unavailable with current Police Department employees.
The proposed one-year agreement contains two optional, one-year renewals, which the Chief of Police shall have the authority to renew. The combined total spending limit for the entire agreement is not to exceed $300,000.
IMPACT ON BUDGET:
Sufficient funds are available in the Police Department’s Fiscal Year 2023/24 General Fund budget. Funding for subsequent years will be subject to Council’s approval of budget appropriations.
Respectfully submitted,
Rick P. Armendariz
Chief of Police
Attachment:
1. Agreement