WS - C - Law Enforcement Assessment - Final Report

Satisfaction & Feedback on Current Services continued: 2020 Medical School Checks Traffic Accident Total Calls Less School Type Total Calls Call / Foot Patrol Related Related Sub Categories Related High School 94 24 7 18 3 42 Middle School 108 53 6 10 2 37 Tiffin Elementary 28 15 1 7 0 5 Oak Hill 76 19 1 1 0 55 Yearly Totals 306 111 15 36 5 139 This data shows in 2020, all four (4) schools within the City accounted for a total of 306 calls for service or approximately 13% of the total calls for service in 2020. When we break down the calls for service and eliminate calls for service relating to medical calls, school checks, accident related, and traffic related, which unfairly escalate the calls for service to the schools, there were less than 140 calls for service to the schools in 2020. This resulted in calls for the schools accounting for approximately 6% of all calls for service in 2020. A consistent and significant concern of all elected officials, as well as City Administrator Boldt, were costs associated with creating a Tiffin Police Department and where was the benefit, given the value of their current services. This concern paves the way for the biggest question relating to this report, “What are the potential future needs for the City of Tiffin and what is an approximate cost for these services?” Determining the Future Needs for the City of Tiffin: There is no absolute formula to determining the appropriate size of any city’s police force. Elected officials and policy makers may consider work load, calls for service, minimum shift staff, and countless other variables. The table below reflects generally accepted and established guidelines for staffing by population: Recommended 2.0 per 1000 residents Average 1.5 per 1000 residents Minimum 1.0 per 1000 residents Consideration should certainly be given to how close additional back-up units are as well as call volume and minimum staff per shift. Based upon Tiffin’s calls for service, the nature of these calls for service, along with the characteristics of the Tiffin community, the minimum staff needs would be suitable. As on the 2020 census population of approximately 4500 residents, Tiffin should then have approximately 4.5 officers. The current agreement with the Johnson County Sheriff’s Office contracts with the City for 75 hours of coverage per week or almost two (2) officers. Thus, the obvious recommendation would be for the City to increase its coverage by at least two (2) additional officers. 6|Page