Title
Adopt a Resolution Approving and Authorizing the City Manager to Execute a Consulting Services Agreement with IntegrAssure, Inc. to Serve as the City of San Leandro Independent Police Auditor
Staffreport
COUNCIL PRIORITIES
• Public Safety
• Housing and Homelessness
• COVID Recovery
• Fiscal Sustainability and Transparency
• Community Engagement and Outreach
• Race and Equity Initiatives
• Community & Business Development
SUMMARY AND RECOMMENDATIONS
Staff recommends that the City Council approve and authorize the City Manager to execute an agreement with IntegrAssure, Inc. to serve as the City of San Leandro’s Independent Police Auditor through June 30, 2025 in an amount not to exceed $192,500 annually excluding travel cost. The proposed agreement also includes an option for two additional one-year extensions.
BACKGROUND
Community oversight of policing is an established City Council priority and for over the past year and a half, staff has worked diligently with the City Council and the community to develop an oversight model that best fits the needs of the community.
In early 2021, staff engaged with the OIR Group to begin exploring different police oversight models. As part of the review, it was important to recognize that no one size model fits all but there are important principles to consider when picking the right model. Some of those principles include independence from law enforcement, a defined purpose, transparent scope of authority, access to records, regular contact with executive level staff and SLPD internal affairs, ongoing community engagement and participation, funding based on needs, analysis of policies and patterns, transparency and reporting.
The City Council subsequently held a work session on February 22, 2021, where a presentation was provided on alternative oversight model options, the strengths and weaknesses of those models, as well as best practices and frameworks. At the conclusion of the meeting the City Council directed staff to move forward with a hybrid model, consisting of two integrated components: a Community Police Review Board (CPRB) and an Independent Police Auditor (IPA).
Over the subsequent months, City staff conducted extensive research and analysis and engaged with the community to develop a hybrid model and incorporate public feedback. Related efforts included reaching out to staff counterparts at other public agencies to identify best practices and lessons learned and meeting with various community stakeholders. On October 16 and 21, 2021, City staff and the OIR Group also hosted two community forums to discuss the proposed hybrid model elements. The forums were well attended by the public and provided an opportunity for community members to gain a more complete understanding of police oversight’s various elements, along with an opportunity to provide feedback.
Staff also engaged in legally required good faith meet and confer negotiations with the City’s represented employee organizations, as the structure of the model could have impacts on the working conditions of their members. Outreach and discussions with the represented employee organizations were conducted from November 2021 through January 2022. No significant changes to the model were necessary.
At the March 21, 2022 City Council meeting, City staff presented to the City Council and the community a draft ordinance. Following robust discussion and after incorporating revisions, the City Council ultimately adopted the ordinance on April 4, 2022.
Consistent with the adopted ordinance, City staff issued a request for proposals (RFP) in spring 2022 in order to invite applications from firms interested in serving as the Independent Police Auditor (IPA), which were due back to the City in June 2022. A copy of the RFP, which includes a detailed overview of the IPA’s primary duties, is attached to this report. Three firms ultimately submitted applications in response to the RFP. City staff carefully reviewed the three proposals and conducted interviews with the three applicant teams in late June 2022. Consistent with the RFP, their proposals were evaluated and scored according to the criteria copied below. City staff also conducted relevant due diligence and reference checks.
Evaluation Criteria included:
• Costs
• Qualifications and experience
• Ability to provide the scope of services
• Overall quality of proposal
Based upon the totality of staff’s review of all the application materials and interviews, IntegrAssure, Inc. stood out as the most qualified firm. Therefore, City staff recommends that the City Council adopt the attached resolution, which would approve and authorize the City Manager to execute a professional services agreement with the firm to serve as the City’s first Independent Police Auditor.
About IntegrAssure
IntegrAssure, Inc. is a consulting firm with deep subject matter expertise in the field of law enforcement oversight, having performed similar oversight services to various cities, designing police auditing mechanisms, and conducting independent reviews of police departments, including use of force practices and officer-involved shootings. Throughout their assignments, they have demonstrated a track record of collaboration
and transparent communication to ensure that reforms are implemented along with
a spirit of continuous improvement.
The firm is led by Mr. Jeff Schlanger, who would be the designated IPA for the City of San Leandro. Mr. Schlanger has more than four decades of experience in the law, independent investigations, law enforcement, and monitor-ships, including serving as the City of Los Angeles’s First Deputy Monitor. He has also led teams responsible to review and monitor the University of Cincinnati Police Department following a fatal officer-involved shooting, and served as Counsel to the New York City Police Commissioner before becoming the Deputy Commissioner for Risk Management. In this role, he spearheaded a continuous improvement approach to police re-engineering, re-imagination, and reform, and helped guide the Department through significant reforms.
InegrAssure also brings a deep bench of staff with relevant subject matter expertise who will be available to assist the City of San Leandro as it works to establish its Community Police Review Board.
Legal Analysis
The City Attorney reviewed the content of this report and the agreement and approved both as to form.
Financial Impacts
This General Fund program will cost $192,500 annually, which was included in the FY2022-2023 Adopted Budget with no directly applicable off-setting revenues. The first $8,000 in travel cost will be waived and the City will only be charged for travel if the cost exceeds $8,000. The program will be funded as follows:
• General Fund-Administration, Account 010-12-020: $192,500____________
• Total $192,500
This Council action will not impact the General Fund’s undesignated fund balance because there are funds available in the FY2022-2023 adopted budget. If staff does decide to extend the contracts for a fourth and fifth year the annual contract amounts will not increase more than 3% each year.
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment A: Resolution Authorizing the City Manager to Enter into a Consulting Services Agreement with IntegrAssure, Inc.
Attachment B: RFP
Attachment C: Proposed Scope of Work & Compensation Schedule
PREPARED BY:
Janelle Cameron, Assistant City Manager & Eric Engelbart, Deputy City Manager