CITY OF
ANTIQCH
CALIFORNIA
STAFF REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL
DATE: Regular Meeting of October 8, 2024
TO: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
SUBMITTED BY: Michael Mellone, Police Lieutenant
APPROVED BY: Brian Addington, Interim Chief of Police
SUBJECT: Amendment of Employee Referral and Recruitment Signing Bonus and Incentive Program for Peace Officers, Addition of Incentive Program for Dispatchers
RECOMMENDED ACTION
It is recommended that the City Council adopt the resolution:
1. Authorizing the City Manager or designee to continue the employee referral and recruitment signing bonus and incentive program for qualified lateral and entry-level (academy graduate and recruit) Peace Officers;
2. Introducing a $10,000 signing bonus for newly hired Police Dispatchers to be paid in two increments: $5,000 upon successful completion of the Dispatch Training Program and $5,000 upon successful completion of two (2) years of employment with the City of Antioch Police Department Dispatch Center; and
3. Authorizing the necessary budget through June 30, 2025, of up to $350,000.
FISCAL IMPACT
The fiscal impact would be determined by the number of lateral and/or entry-level applicants hired, as well as the number of Police Dispatchers hired while the program is in effect. These financial incentives are distributed in five (5) separate increments over five (5) years for both lateral and entry-level Peace Officers, with the bulk of the payment ($15,000) paid upfront.
Additionally, the Police Department is requesting to now include a $10,000 signing bonus for Police Dispatchers. It is proposed for this bonus to be distributed in two increments:
$5,000 upon successful completion of the Dispatch Training Program and $5,000 upon successful completion of two (2) years of employment with the City of Antioch Police Department Dispatch Center.
1 10-08-24
Antioch City Council Report
October 8, 2024 Agenda Item #1 2
DISCUSSION
At the regular City Council Meeting of September 12, 2023, the City Council adopted Resolution No. 2023/144, increasing the employee referral and signing bonus and incentive program tor qualitied lateral and entry-level Police Officers. The Police Department seeks to continue and amend the employee recruitment and signing bonus and incentive program to include a new provision to offer a $10,000 signing bonus for newly hired Police Dispatchers.
This proposed incentive program for Police Dispatchers is intended to help attract qualified entry-level and lateral Police Dispatchers to the City of Antioch, addressing the current five vacancies in the Dispatch Center. By offering a competitive financial incentive, the City aims to draw experienced professionals who can immediately contribute to maintaining high-quality service standards and reducing the training burden on existing staff.
Per the attached resolution under consideration, the incentive program for lateral and entry-level Peace Officers will be amended to include Dispatchers and extended the program through June 30, 2025, ensuring a comprehensive approach to recruiting and retaining essential personnel across the department.
The current incentive program includes a claw back provision requiring repayment of bonuses if an employee severs employment with the City of Antioch any time before the 5-year commitment. The same claw back provision will apply to the Police Dispatcher signing bonus if employment is terminated prior to completion of two (2) years of employment.
Program Details for Dispatchers:
To qualify for the signing bonus, Police Dispatcher applicants must:
1. Successfully complete the POST - approved Dispatch Training Program for the City of Antioch Dispatch Center.
2. Successfully complete two (2) years of employment with the City of Antioch Dispatch Center.
The $10,000 signing bonus will be distributed in two increments:
1. Successfully complete the POST - approved Dispatch Training Program for the City of Antioch Dispatch Center.
2. Successfully complete two (2) years of employment with the City of Antioch Dispatch Center.
Program Details for Lateral Peace Officers:
(Open to all qualifying lateral Peace Officers, with the exception of the Police Chief, hired from September 12, 2024, until June 30, 2025):
1. The incentives remain the same as in the previous program year.
Antioch City Council Report
October 8, 2024 Agenda Item #1 3
Program Details for Entry-Level (Academy Graduate and Recruit) Peace Officers (Open to all qualifying entry-level police officers hired from September 12, 2024, until June 30, 2025):
1. The qualifications and incentives remain the same as in the previous fiscal year.
Repayment of Bonuses and Incentives:
The repayment requirements remain consistent with the previously approved program.
For Police Dispatchers, if separation occurs after completion of their Dispatcher training, but before the completion of two (2) years of employment, the Police Dispatcher shall reimburse the City for $5,000 of the signing bonus. If the separation occurs prior to completion of two (2) years of employment, the Police Dispatcher shall reimburse the City for the full $10,000 signing bonus.
The proposed recruitment signing bonus and incentive program aims to enhance the City of Antioch's ability to attract and retain qualified lateral and entry-level Peace Officers, as well as Dispatchers, by offering competitive financial incentives.
ATTACHMENTS
A. Resolution 2024/XXX
B. Exhibit "A"
ATTACHMENT "A"
RESOLUTION NO. 2024/xxx
RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ANTIOCH APPROVING
THE EXTENSION AND AMENDMENT OF THE BONUS INCENTIVE PROGRAM FOR
QUALIFIED LATERAL AND ENTRY-LEVEL PEACE OFFICERS, INTRODUCING A
SIGNING BONUS FOR POLICE DISPATCHERS AND APPROVING THE
NECESSARY FISCAL YEAR 2024/25 BUDGET ADJUSTMENT
WHEREAS, on September 12, 2023, the Antioch City Council adopted Resolution 2023/144 continuing the employee recruitment and signing bonus incentive program through June 30, 2025 in the total amount of $350,000 to be paid over a five-year period for qualified peace officers; and
WHEREAS, the Antioch City Council recognizes the need to remain competitive in hiring qualified peace officers and acknowledges the critical staffing shortages in the Dispatch Center, with five current vacancies; and
WHEREAS, the City Council seeks to expand the incentive program to include a $10,000 signing bonus for newly hired Police Dispatchers to attract qualified lateral candidates, thereby enhancing the operational efficiency and service quality of the Antioch Police Department;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council of the City of Antioch hereby:
1. Authorizes the continuation of the employee referral and recruitment signing bonus/incentive program for qualified lateral and entry-level (academy graduate and recruit) peace officers through June 30, 2025 with a total program amount of up to $350,000;
2. Approves the introduction of a $10,000 signing bonus for newly hired Police Dispatchers through June 30, 2025, to be paid in two increments: $5,000 upon successful completion of the POST-approved Dispatch Training program and $5,000 upon successful completion of two years of employment with the City of Antioch.
3. Directs the City Manager or designee to make any necessary budget adjustments for the fiscal year 2024/25 to fund the continuation and expansion of this program; and
4. Reaffirms its commitment to maintaining a competitive recruitment strategy to ensure the Antioch Police Department is fully staffed with qualified personnel to meet the needs of the community.
* * * *
I HEREBY CERTIFY that the foregoing resolution was passed and adopted by the City Council of the City of Antioch, at a regular meeting thereof, held on the 8th day of October 2024 by the following vote:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSTAIN:
ABSENT:
ELIZABETH HOUSEHOLDER
CITY CLERK OF THE CITY OF ANTIOCH
EXHIBIT "A"
EMPLOYEE REFERRAL AND RECRUITMENT SIGNING BONUS AND INCENTIVE
PROGRAM FOR PEACE OFFICERS AND DISPATCHERS
Recommended Program Details for Lateral Peace Officers (open to all qualifying lateral peace officers, except police chief, hired from September 12, 2024 until June 30, 2025):
To qualify for the bonus/incentives, the applicant must:
1. Be currently employed as a peace officer within a California law enforcement agency.
2. Have at least two (2) years of experience and have successfully completed a probationary period.
3. And, possess a Basic California POST Certificate, or required POST certification based on job description.
4. If the applicant is a former Antioch officer who wishes to return to the department, his/her separation of employment must be at least eighteen (18) months to qualify.
The bonus/incentives will consist of the following:
1. Applicant will be allowed to carry over up to 200 hours of accrued sick leave from his/her department.
2. Prior law enforcement service seniority will be used to determine vacation accrual rate of the applicant.
3. Automatic credit of 40 hours vacation upon employment.
4. Signing bonus of $30,000 with payments in the following increments:
a. $15,000 - upon successful completion of FTO
b. $2,500 - upon successful completion of probation
c. $5,000 - upon three (3) years of service
d. $2,500 - upon four (4) years of service
e. $5,000 - upon five (5) years of service
5. Any current Antioch employee who recruits a lateral officer will receive his/her choice of $1,000 or 20 hours of Comp Time upon the lateral's successful completion of the field training program.
Recommended Program Details for Entry Level (Academy Graduate and Recruit) Peace Officers (open to all qualifying entry level peace officers hired from September 12, 2024, until June 30, 2025):
To qualify for the bonus/incentives, the applicant must:
1. Successfully complete a Basic Police Academy and poses a Basic POST certificate in the State of California.
2. Successfully complete the background and hiring process for the City of Antioch Police Department.
3. Successfully complete the Field Training Program for the City of Antioch Police department
Recommended Program Details for Dispatchers (open to all qualifying entry level and lateral dispatchers hired from September 12, 2024, until June 30, 2025):
To qualify for the signing bonus, Police Dispatcher applicants must:
1. Successfully complete the POST - approved Dispatch Training Program for the City of Antioch Dispatch Center.
2. Successfully complete two (2) years of employment with the City of Antioch Dispatch Center.
The bonus/incentives will consist of the following:
1. Signing bonus of $10,000 with payments in the following increments:
a. $5,000 - upon successful completion of training period b. $5,000 - upon successful completion two (2) years of employment.
Repayment of Bonuses and Incentives:
In the event of separation of a lateral or entry level peace officer applicant's employment with the City for any reason, the applicant shall reimburse the City for the signing bonuses as detailed below:
1. If separation occurs before completion of the probationary period, applicant shall reimburse the City for $15,000
2. If separation occurs before completion of three (3) years of employment, applicant shall reimburse the City for $17,500
3. If separation occurs before completion of four (4) years of employment, applicant shall reimburse the City for $22,500
4. If separation occurs before completion of five (5) years of employment, applicant shall reimburse the City for $25,000
In the event of a separation of an entry or lateral police dispatcher applicant's employment with the City for any reason, the applicant shall reimburse the City for the signing bonuses as detailed below:
1. If the separation occurs before the completion of the probationary period, applicant shall reimburse the City for $5,000.
2. If the separation occurs before the completion of two (2) years of employment, applicant shall reimburse the City for $10,000.
A Lateral or Entry-Level Peace Officer Applicant agrees that if he/she is required to reimburse the bonuses and incentives under this Agreement, such reimbursement shall be immediately due and payable without notice. Applicant may request a payment plan of three months to fully satisfy any outstanding bonus payments not immediately repaid to the City. Thereafter, any continued failure to repay the entirety of the bonuses back in full within 3 months would entitle the City to immediate recovery of any non-repaid amount plus interest over the outstanding amount as required by law. Applicant agrees that if Applicant remains employed with the City of Antioch beyond five (5) years of employment as set forth above, Applicant will have no obligation to repay any portion of the signing