Report Recommends $1M in Cuts to Shelby Police Budget

The Shelby Township police department could trim nearly $1 million from its $16 million operating budget if it follows recommendations made by an independent consulting firm.

The most significant cost-saving measures for the police department would be to hire part-time dispatchers, create a deputy chief position and eliminate two captain positions within the Shelby Township Police Department, according to Mark Nottley of Municipal Consulting Services LLC.

The report, published on Aug. 26 to the Shelby Township website, analyzes operational and procedural practices, budgetary and staffing issues, service levels and the full scope of responsibilities and activities performed by the department.

The township has hired Nottley’s firm to do operational assessments on the Fire Department; Parks, Recreation and Maintenance Department; and Department of Public Works

Nottley said it’s pertinent that Shelby does these reports to see where they can make cuts because, like most municipalities, Shelby has seen a dramatic drop in revenue.

“Everybody is in trouble right now because the declines in property values and for what I see there are even more.  As long as those property values go down, they will have to cut more,” Nottley told Patch.

The following recommendations were made in the report:

• The police chief should prepare an implementation plan for the study's recommendations with appropriate implementation timetables, a written rationale for any points of disagreement and other input regarding the feasibility of longer-range recommendations.
• A deputy chief position should be created and two captain positions eliminated for an annual cost savings estimated at $125,000 to $140,000.
• The desk officer assignment should be eliminated with the holder of the position returning to patrol duty. Clerical staff will maintain the desk with support from command officers.
• The police chief should investigate options for performance evaluation and move the department in this direction.
• If finances worsen, STPD should consider modifying the current 2,184-hour scheduling system to 2,080 hours with reduced hours scheduled at times of least activity for an estimated annual cost savings of $204,000 and applicable benefit savings. This action would require a contract change.
• The Detective Bureau work schedule should be changed to require additional workdays. This action would expand coverage to provide more consistent resources over the five-day workweek, or to six days, including Saturday. Benefits include the potential for reduced overtime needed for court duty.
• The court officer position should be eliminated, with Detective Bureau personnel and others assuming the duties, and the incumbent returned to the patrol rotation for an estimated cost savings of $60,435 per year initially, then $100,725.
• STPD should investigate the potential benefits of combining narcotics operations with Sterling Heights as a larger, combined group could operate more effectively in drug enforcement, surveillance and special crime operations. According to the report, STPD could possibly dedicate three individuals and return one current narcotics officer to patrol duty for an estimated cost savings of $60,435 per year initially, then $100,725.
• Forfeiture funds should be more consistently budgeted for annual expenditures, with the revenue used to support targeted expense categories that are available within spending guidelines.
• The Traffic Division work schedule should be changed to require additional workdays with benefits including better coverage and the potential for reduced overtime needed for court duty.
• Traffic Division officers should be included in the minimum manning calculation, with cost savings realized from reduced overtime.
• STPD should consider the hire of part-time clericals in the future and redefine the job classification. According to the report, many clerical assignments are routine in nature. Part-time clericals (supplementing full-time staff) would be a cost-efficient option.
• STPD should hire part-time dispatchers to fill the current staff vacancy and eliminate ongoing and costly overtime. Cost savings from eliminating one full-time position are estimated at $28,081.
• Centralized dispatch is a future option that should be carefully explored with a potential cost savings of $303,595.
• Eight current take-home car privileges should be eliminated with direct cost savings estimated at $27,798 per year, less the cost of mileage reimbursement. Three non-patrol vehicles should be eliminated. In the 40-car fleet, it may be possible to eliminate three currently assigned cars. Some cost savings would result, since three fewer cars would need to be maintained.
• STPD should develop improved management and accounting controls for abandoned vehicle disposal and the auction process, as current systems are inadequate to assure compliance with legal requirements.

 "In summary, some potential cost savings from the above recommendations can be quantified, while others (such as reduced overtime occurrence) will only be apparent after the change is implemented," the report states. "Moreover, others will require contract modification or are presented only as options. Lastly, we are recommending that staff reductions only be achieved through attrition."

The Shelby Township Board of Trustees will review the report it its biannual meeting Sept. 6.