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REQUEST FOR <br />COUNCIL ACTION <br />CITY COUNCIL MEETING DATE: <br />OCTOBER 2, 2018 <br />TITLE: <br />ADOPT A RESOLUTION IMPLEMENTING <br />AN EMPLOYEE REFERRAL INCENTIVE <br />PROGRAM TO ENHANCE POLICE <br />OFFICER RECRUITMENT EFFORTS <br />{STRATEGIC PLAN NO.1.1.1} <br />1 � � <br />CIWJAANAGER <br />RECOMMENDED ACTION <br />CLERK OF COUNCIL USE ONLY: <br />:--:• <br />-91 <br />❑ As Recommended <br />❑ As Amended <br />❑ Ordinance on 1st Reading <br />❑ Ordinance on 2nd Reading <br />❑ Implementing Resolution <br />❑ Set Public Hearing For <br />CONTINUED TO <br />FILE NUMBER <br />Adopt a resolution authorizing the City Manager to implement an employee referral incentive <br />program to enhance police officer recruitment efforts. <br />DISCUSSION <br />Recruitment and hiring challenges continue to plague law enforcement agencies across the United <br />States. Like many local law enforcement agencies across the country, the Santa Ana Police <br />Department is experiencing a diminished pool of well-qualified police officer candidates. Several <br />factors affect a police officer candidate's ability to successfully complete all components of the <br />hiring process, including physical fitness level, writing ability, disqualifying behaviors, and previous <br />employment history and performance. In addition, the law enforcement job market is saturated <br />with available career opportunities and prospective candidates are often solicited by multiple <br />agencies in an attempt to fill staffing vacancies. The inability to recruit police officers continues to <br />be of significant concern throughout the nation. In response, agencies across the country are <br />offering hiring incentives in order to attract both experienced officers and the most qualified police <br />recruit applicants. <br />In order to ascertain the prevalence and content of these types of employment incentives, Santa <br />Ana Police Department personnel conducted a survey of 181 California law enforcement agencies. <br />Following this research, Police Department staff met with staff from Human Resources to discuss <br />the development of a hiring incentive program that would best meet the needs of the Santa Ana <br />Police Department. As a result, the Police Department and Human Resources Agency are <br />recommending the implementation of an Employee Referral Incentive Program for City employees <br />who refer successful police officer candidates. <br />55A-1 <br />