REPORT/RECOMMENDATION TO THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
OF SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY
AND RECORD OF ACTION
April 9, 2024
FROM
SHANNON D. DICUS, Sheriff/Coroner/Public Administrator
SUBJECT
Title
Reimbursement Agreement with the United States Department of Justice, Marshals Service for Participation in the Joint Law Enforcement Operations - Pacific Southwest Regional Fugitive Task Force
End
RECOMMENDATION(S)
Recommendation
1. Approve Reimbursement Agreement (Federal No. JLEO-24-0044) with the United States Department of Justice, Marshals Service, for overtime costs related to participation in the Joint Law Enforcement Operations - Pacific Southwest Regional Fugitive Task Force, in the amount of $600,000 for the period of October 13, 2023 through September 30, 2024.
2. Authorize the Sheriff/Coroner/Public Administrator to sign and submit the Reimbursement Agreement, as required by the United States Department of Justice.
3. Direct the Sheriff/Coroner/Public Administrator to transmit the Reimbursement Agreement to the Clerk of the Board of Supervisors within 30 days of execution.
4. Authorize the Auditor-Controller/Treasurer/Tax Collector to post adjustments to the Sheriff/Coroner/Public Administrator’s 2023-24 budget as detailed in the Financial Impact section (Four votes required).
(Presenter: Ernie Perez, Deputy Chief, 387-3760)
Body
COUNTY AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER GOALS & OBJECTIVES
Provide for the Safety, Health and Social Service Needs of County Residents.
Pursue County Goals and Objectives by Working with Other Agencies and Stakeholders.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
Approval of this item will not result in the use of Discretionary General Funding (Net County Cost). The United States Department of Justice, Marshals Service (USMS) will provide reimbursement of overtime costs for Sheriff/Coroner/Public Administrator (Department) safety staff assigned to the Pacific Southwest Regional Fugitive Task Force (PSW RFTF) in an amount not to exceed $600,000, pursuant to the Joint Law Enforcement Operations Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). Appropriation and revenue for this Reimbursement Agreement (Agreement) are not included in the Department’s 2023-24 budget, therefore, the Department requests the Auditor-Controller/Treasure/Tax Collector to post the following adjustments:
|
Fund Center |
Commitment Item |
Description |
Action |
Amount |
|
4438001000 |
40509094 |
Federal - Grants |
Increase |
$600,000 |
|
4438001000 |
51001035 |
Overtime |
Increase |
$600,000 |
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
The USMS oversees the nation’s regional fugitive task forces established under the Presidential Threat Protection Act of 2000. The purpose of these regional fugitive task forces is to combine the efforts of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies to locate and apprehend the most dangerous fugitives and assist in high profile investigations. The PSW RFTF, previously the Los Angeles Regional Fugitive Task Force, became operational in July of 2002 and, since inception, has grown exponentially in terms of personnel, equipment, and scope of investigation. Through their demonstrated willingness and ability to cooperate with other agencies, the PSW RFTF has continued to develop MOUs with federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies. These relationships have experienced tremendous success in conducting high-profile investigations throughout the Pacific Southwest and Hawaii.
On December 3, 2002 (Item No. 65), the Board of Supervisors (Board) approved the Department’s participation in the PSW RFTF. Participation in the task force results in better coordination with other agencies involved in locating dangerous fugitives. In addition, it provides the Department with access to nationwide criminal databases, which significantly enhances the Department’s ability to locate San Bernardino County fugitives. The USMS has a long history of providing assistance and expertise to other law enforcement agencies in support of fugitive investigations. The success of USMS task force initiatives, combined with the outstanding relationships forged with other law enforcement agencies, has led to the formation of permanent fugitive task forces, as well as ad-hoc task forces in response to unique cases that pose immediate threats to the public.
On February 8, 2024, the Department received notification from the USMS of funding in the amount of $600,000 to support overtime expenditures incurred by staff while working for the PSW RFTF during the Agreement’s period. The Department is submitting the Agreement for acceptance at the first available Board date upon completion of the review process. The Department has incurred approximately $168,567 in overtime costs since October 13, 2023, related to this program, and can submit claims for reimbursement retroactively to that date.
Approval of Recommendation No. 2 will authorize the Sheriff/Coroner/Public Administrator to sign the Agreement award documents in compliance with USMS policy.
PROCUREMENT
Not applicable.
REVIEW BY OTHERS
This item has been reviewed by County Counsel (Grace B. Parsons, Deputy County Counsel, 387-5455) on March 11, 2024; Auditor-Controller/Treasurer/Tax Collector (Charlene Huang, Auditor-Controller Manager, 382-7022) on March 11, 2024; Finance (Erika Rodarte, Administrative Analyst, 387-4919) on March 25, 2024; and County Finance and Administration (Robert Saldana, Deputy Executive Officer, 387-5423) on March 26, 2024.