City Council Memorandum
TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL DATE: JULY 19, 2022 FROM: POLICE DEPARTMENT WARDS: ALL
SUBJECT: MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING WITH UNITED STATES IMMIGRATION AND CUSTOMS ENFORCEMENT, HOMELAND SECURITY INVESTIGATIONS FOR REIMBURSEMENT OF EXPENSES IN JOINT OPERATIONS FROM TREASURY FORFEITURE FUND IN AN AMOUNT UP TO $15,000 PER OFFICER PER FEDERAL FISCAL YEAR UNTIL TERMINATED ISSUE:
Approve the Memorandum of Understanding between the City of Riverside, on behalf of the Police Department, and the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Homeland Security Investigations for the reimbursement of expenses in joint operations from the Treasury Forfeiture Fund in an amount up to $15,000 per Officer per Federal Fiscal Year (October 1 through September 30).
RECOMMENDATIONS:
That the City Council:
Approve the Memorandum of Understanding between the City of Riverside, on behalf of the Police Department, and the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Homeland Security Investigations for the reimbursement of expenses in joint operations from the Treasury Forfeiture Fund in an amount up to $15,000 per Officer per Federal Fiscal Year (October 1 through September 30); With at least five affirmative votes, authorize the Chief Financial Officer, or designees, to record an increase revenues and authorize supplemental appropriations in the amount up to $15,000 in the Grants and Special Revenue Fund overtime reimbursement account for the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Homeland Security Investigations; and Authorize the City Manager, or designee, to execute the Memorandum of Understanding between the City of Riverside, on behalf of the Police Department, and the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Homeland Security Investigations and all documents necessary to receive reimbursement of funds for services performed in cooperation with the MOU in an amount up to $15,000 per Officer per Federal Fiscal Year.
BACKGROUND:
Participation in joint operations, such as the regional task forces that the Riverside Police Department (RPD) regularly participates in, ensures a well-coordinated law enforcement effort and increases the flow of intelligence information among the various law enforcement agencies in the region.
The United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Homeland Security Investigations is proposing a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that will reimburse approved overtime performed by designated Riverside Police Department personnel in an amount up to $15,000 per Officer per Federal Fiscal Year (October 1 through September 30) when participating in joint operations with Federal Law Enforcement Agencies that participate in the Treasury Forfeiture Fund.
DISCUSSION:
The proposed Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the City of Riverside, on behalf of the Riverside Police Department, and the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) establishes the procedures and responsibilities of both the City and the United States ICE HSI for the reimbursement of certain overtime costs and other expenses as it relates to joint operations with federal Law Enforcement Agencies participating in the Treasury Forfeiture Fund.
The joint operations would enhance drug control efforts by providing additional resources to combat drug trafficking and its harmful consequences with a focus on cocaine and money laundering activities. RPD participates in similar efforts as part of the High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) program and the California’s Department of Justice Inland Narcotics Crackdown Allied (INCA) task force. There will be one Riverside Police Detective assigned to these joint operations.
The MOU is effective on the date it is signed by both parties and terminates when explicitly terminated by either the Treasury Forfeiture Fund Agency or the City of Riverside.
STRATEGIC PLAN ALIGNMENT:
This item contributes to Strategic Priority No. 2 Community Well-Being and Goal No. 2.4 – Support programs and innovations that enhance community safety, encourage neighborhood engagement, and build public trust.
This item aligns with EACH of the five Cross-Cutting Threads as follows:
Community Trust – The Riverside Police Department is dedicated to improving quality of life by creating a safe environment in partnership with the people it serves. RPD’s ability to partner with Federal, county and local agencies serves to benefit the public safety of the City’s diverse populations, and results in the greater public good.
Equity – RPD provides public safety services to all residents in the City of Riverside. The partnership between RPD and other law enforcement agencies helps provide equitable distribution of public safety services.
Fiscal Responsibility – RPD’s participation in this program provides reimbursement for partnership opportunity and reduces the burden on the General Fund.
Innovation – RPD must constantly change and adapt to meet the community’s changing needs and prepare for the future. This partnership provides the Department with additional resources and funding to achieve this goal.
Sustainability & Resiliency – The reimbursement from this program allows RPD to meet the needs of the present without compromising the needs of the future and ensures the City’s capacity to preserves, adapt and grow.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The total reimbursement for participation in this task force is up to $15,000 for the Federal Fiscal Year, October 1, 2021 through September 30, 2022. The Grants and Special Revenue Fund accounts and respective reimbursement amount is summarized in the table below:
Task Force
Accounts
Reimbursement Amount
Reimbursement Period
United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Homeland Security Investigations for the reimbursement of expenses in joint operations from the Treasury Forfeiture Fund Revenue: 9176200-331100
Expenditure: 9176200-411501
$15,000
Federal FY21/22
The timing of the reimbursements may vary dependent upon overtime worked by assigned officers. Once the maximum reimbursement is reached there will be no further reimbursements.
Prepared by: Larry V. Gonzalez, Chief of Police
Certified as to
availability of funds: Kristie Thomas, Assistant Chief Financial Officer Approved by: Edward Enriquez, Interim Assistant City Manager/CFO and Treasurer Approved as to form: Phaedra Norton, City Attorney
Attachment: Memorandum of Understanding between the City of Riverside, on behalf of the Police Department, and the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Homeland Security Investigations for the reimbursement of expenses in joint operations from the Treasury Forfeiture Fund MOU with US Immigration and Customs Enforcement hPage 5