HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem #23 - Discussion ItemCITY C:: `,`.;,,,,41, f L O ij A
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honorable Members of
The City Commission
P. :L . Andrews
City Manager
?.1 NiORANDUM
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E`.CLOSURSS:
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Criminal Justice Institute
Agenda Item No. 45 (b)
March 25, 1975
On December 19, 1974, the Special Meeting of the Committee of the Whole
convened for the purpose of investigating the City of Miami Police Depart-
ment. Several questions were raised concerning the City's participation
in the Southeast Florida Institute of Criminal Justice. Recently, Vice
Mayor J. L. Plummer requested that the Criminal Justice Institute matter
be placed on the City Commission Agenda for discussion. Major matters
relating to continued use of the Criminal Justice Institute are:
Course Design
Scheduling
Swimming Requirements
Academic Elimination from the Institute
Course Design
It was suggested that the course content and course design taught at the
Southeast Florida Institute. of Criminal Justice was weighted to give pri-
mary- instructions to the Dade County Public Safety Department and,
therefore, did nut respond to the specifications necessary for City of .
Miami Police Officers.
Subsequently, representatives of the City of Miami Police Department have
rnet with the Institute Advisory Committee for the purpose of identifying the
City of Miami's specific problems as they relate to the academy. Speci-
fically, adjustments have been made in the reference and instructional
material utilized so that it includes forms, etc., from the City of Miami.
Course content has been redesigned from its previous twenty-four week
program to a seventeen week course that will commence on April 28, 1975.
'Chu, City of i'vtianri Police Department will, in the future, participate to a
far greater e\tent in monitorin; the Course cif study to insure that it meets
the City': criteria.
• i v .: •mot:. P c . > c-
Honorable i.lernher i of
.f.he City Commission
f1ie }'Mice I:epartrrtent personnel have indic:.ttt•d that they are satisfied with
the Advisory Co tncilts response to the City of i`:1i<'oni r;tatcc( difficulties. It
is felt that definite progress ha:, been made and continued effort v ill further
resolve any additional City problem areas.
Scheduling
During the course of the December 19, 1974, investigation, reference vas
made to the City's difficulty in scheduling instructor personnel to partici-
pate in the Southeast Florida Institute of Criminal Justice.
As a result of the City of Miami Police Department personnel discussions
with the Institute expressing difficulty with scheduling of instructor person-
nel and equipment, adjustments have been made by the Institute to the
benefit of the City of Miami.
Swimming Requirements
It has been reported that otherwise qualified applicants and recruits are
being eliminated from consideration for lack of ability to swim. The City
of Miami has paid particular attention to these swimming, requirements
and is continuing its evaluation. As an immediate measure, presently, no
one is being eliminated from cc.msideraticrn for lack of the ability to swim.
The City of N'liarni has instituted a swimmer's training program that will
provide individuals the necessary training to bring them to a level where
they can pass the newly revised swimming evaluation. The City will con-
tinue to monitor this program and if the. desired results are not attained,
additional acliustrnents will be. considered.
Academic Elimination from the Institute
Previous indications have been given that the Southeast Florida Institute
of Criminal Justice excessively eliminates Black and Spanish recruits
from the Institute for academic reasons.
During the period January, 197.1, to March, 1975, there were 137 City
of recruits in the Institute (li' Mack, 39 Spanish and 62 Others).
'twenty -:;even of those were eliminated from the institute for various; pur-
pose:4 (9 1;1ae:1:, 9 Sp' nie;h, 9 Others). Of the twenty-seven eliminations
from the Institute, twelve v.':•re for ac•acli•r-nic: reasons. It should lie noted
Honorable :\'lrll-llc't`:> c?t
The (.;ity Commission
that nine of t.hc tv:elve academic ; lit;?il?'.:i t:; v; i' individu_►Is wlio were
placed rsn the I';ll! II)lt' Kc'r,if:ter !` re:;ult or rk ra :!rHtn? "There-
fore,, if the:.;e nine are not considered, then there remains three
academic eli;ltin.itlt)TtS from the Soutll;'A t Florida Institute Of Crixninal
Justice (Black -.0--, :pi)►nis1i -(1-, Others ).
Surr,rnary
It is the opinion of the City of Miami Police Department and the City
Manager that it is in the best interest of the City of Miami at the prescr:t
time to continue the training of police recruits at the Southeast Florida
Institute of Criminal Justice. The Institute has recognized the City's
difficulties and has made concerted effort to resolve these difficulties.
The City will continue to monitor the prograrns in the academy and the
City Commission will be advised if any adjustment is required to meet
the City's overall objectives.
cc: Honorable Maurice A. Ferre, Mayor
hlono.rabic J. L. Plummer, ,Tr. , Vice 'Mayor
Honorable Theodore 11. Gibson
Honorable Rose Gordon
Honorable I'Aanolo tehoso