REPORT/RECOMMENDATION TO THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
OF THE COUNTY OF SAN BERNARDINO
AND RECORD OF ACTION
March 10, 2020
FROM
JOHN McMAHON, Sheriff/Coroner/Public Administrator
SUBJECT
Title v
Reimbursement Agreement with the United States 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 Number JLEO-20-0044) with the United States Department of Justice, Marshals Service, for the period of October 1, 2019 through September 30, 2020, in the amount of $408,745 for overtime costs related to participation in the Joint Law Enforcement Operations - Pacific Southwest Regional Fugitive Task Force.
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 all documents in relation to this reimbursement agreement to the Clerk of the Board of Supervisors within 30 days of execution.
(Presenter: John Ades, Captain, 387-0640)
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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.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
Approval of this item will not result in the use of additional Discretionary General Funding (Net County Cost). The United States Marshals Service (USMS) will provide reimbursement of overtime costs for the Sheriff/Coroner/Public Administrator’s (Department) safety staff assigned to the Pacific Southwest Regional Fugitive Task Force (PSW RFTF) in an amount not to exceed $408,745 pursuant to the Joint Law Enforcement Operations Memorandum of Understanding. Appropriation and revenue of approximately $360,000 is included in the Department’s 2019-20 budget. A budget adjustment is not requested at this time but will be included in a future quarterly countywide budget report presented to the Board of Supervisors (Board) for approval, if necessary. No matching funds are required.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
The USMS oversees the nation's regional fugitive task forces established under the Presidential Threat Protection Act of 2000. The purpose of the 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 its 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 Memorandums of Understanding 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 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 January 6, 2020, the Department received notification from the USMS of 25% of available funding in the amount of $102,186 to reimburse the Department for overtime expenditures incurred by its staff while working for the PSW RFTF in 2019-20, and was notified that the additional 75% would be released soon thereafter. On February 7, 2020, the Department received notification of the remaining $306,559. The funding covers the project performance period from October 1, 2019 through September 30, 2020. The Department is submitting the agreement for acceptance at the first available Board date upon completion of the review process. Overtime expenditures have commenced as of the start date of the project; however, the Department can submit claims for reimbursement retroactively upon execution of the agreement. The Department has expended approximately $74,000 to date for this program.
Approval of Recommendation No. 2 would authorize the Sheriff/Coroner/Public Administrator to sign the reimbursement agreement award documents, which complies with USMS’ policy.
PROCUREMENT
Not applicable.
REVIEW BY OTHERS
This item has been reviewed by County Counsel (Richard D. Luczak, Deputy County Counsel, 387-5455) on February 13, 2020; Finance (Carolina Mendoza, Administrative Analyst, 387-0294) on February 19, 2020; and County Finance and Administration (Kelly Welty, Deputy Executive Officer, 387-5423) on February 19, 2020.