DATE: February 19, 2025
TO: Honorable Mayor and City Councilmembers
FROM: Police Department
TITLE: PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT WITH PIERSIDE INVESTIGATIONS FOR EMPLOYEE BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION SERVICES
RECOMMENDATION
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Staff recommends that the City Council approve a three-year Professional Services Agreement (PSA) with Pierside Investigations to provide background investigations, reports and polygraph services, through March 31, 2028, in the amount not to exceed $125,000 for the remainder of FY 2024-25, $234,000 in FY 2025-26, $245,000 in FY 2026-27, and $187,000 from July 1, 2027 through March 31, 2028; appropriate $70,000 and $79,000 in future years from General Fund Unassigned Fund Balance; and authorize the City Manager, or designee, to execute the agreement.
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BACKGROUND AND ANALYSIS
The Oceanside Police Department (OPD) currently has a number of vacancies throughout the organization. As of February 5, 2025, those vacancies include the following positions: Police Officer (12); Police Records Technician (7); Police Media Relations Manager (1); Latent Print Examiner (1); Public Safety Dispatcher (5); Police Cadet (1); Community Services Officer (2); Forensic Specialist (2). Currently, there are 11 Police Officer Recruits attending the Police Academy, 8 Police Officer Recruits joining the March Police Academy, and 12 Police Officers in Training. In addition to these vacancies, it is anticipated that there will be additional Police Officer vacancies by December 31, 2025, due to retirements and promotions.
On March 22, 2023, the Police Department entered into a PSA with Pierside Investigations for background investigations, reports and polygraph services. Due to the high volume of background investigations, the PSA was amended on April 24, 2024 to increase the contract amount. The total of this contract had a limit not to exceed $165,000 per year. With current and anticipated vacancies in various positions throughout the Police Department...
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