Memorandum

City of Lawrence

Police Department

TO:	Diane Stoddard, Interim City Manager
CC:	Casey Toomay, Assistant City Manager Tarik Khatib, Chief of Police
FROM:	Paul Fellers, Captain
DATE:	September 14, 2015
RE:	Reimbursement to Johnson County Sheriff’s Office

Background

The hiring process for the 36^th Basic Recruit Academy began on January 2, 2015, and the first day of the Academy was June 1, 2015.  The goal of the hiring process was to attract the best qualified applicants to become Lawrence Police Officers. 

If an applicant has attended a State Certified Training Academy and leaves to work for another Department prior to completing a full year of service, then statutorily the hiring Department is liable for full reimbursement.  The Department hired an individual who was working for the Johnson County Sheriff’s Office and had not completed a full year prior to leaving.  The Department received an invoice from the Johnson County Sheriff’s Office for the individual’s compensation during his employment there. 

Presentation of Data

The Department was authorized to hire eleven recruits during the hiring process for the 36^th Basic Recruit Academy.  While there were a number of applicants, only ten were hired.  Nationwide and locally, it is increasingly difficult to find qualified applicants for open positions.  Only ten recruits were hired as many other applicants were removed from the process after background checks were completed. 

One of the recruits hired was working at the Johnson County Sheriff’s Office and had attended the Regional Training Academy at Johnson County Community College.  The recruit did not complete the required service with the Sheriff’s Office and in accordance with KSA 74-5609b, the Johnson County Sheriff’s Office submitted an invoice to the Department for reimbursement of tuition in the amount of $22,375.97.

KSA 74-5609b is part of The Kansas Law Enforcement Training Act.  The Statute’s language is as follows: (b) Any city, county or state agency which commences employment of a police officer or law enforcement officer within one year of the time such police officer or law enforcement officer has completed a course of instruction at a state or local law enforcement training school shall reimburse the city, county or state agency which paid the tuition for training such officer. This reimbursement shall include the amount of the tuition paid, the officer's salary and travel expenses and any other expenses incurred which were incidental to training such officer.

A copy of the invoice is attached for review.

Staff Recommendation

Pay the invoice with funds received from the State for operating a law enforcement academy.

Action

Approve payment of the invoice issued by the Johnson County Sheriff’s Office as required under KSA 74-5609b.