ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT
Date: May 3, 1995
Dept. File No: pr\fleet.rtc
TO: Vancouver City Council
FROM: Chief Constable in consultation with the General
Managers
of Engineering Services and Corporate Services
SUBJECT: Expansion of Police Fleet
RECOMMENDATION
THAT Council approve an increase in the Police Department
vehicle fleet as follows:
10 - Mid sized vehicles
16 - Police standard bicycles
at a cost of $243,000; source of funding to be the Truck and
Equipment Plant Account.
CHIEF CONSTABLE'S COMMENTS
The Chief Constable RECOMMENDS approval of the foregoing.
COUNCIL POLICY
City Council, on February 4, 1994, resolved that during the term
of the 1994-1996 Budget Management Program, any proposed
increases in program and/or service levels be offset by
corresponding spending reductions elsewhere in the City's
operating budget or by increases in non-taxation revenues,
subject to Council discretion.
SUMMARY
A 1992 Study of the VPD Fleet by Peat Marwick Stevens and Kellog,
Management Consultants, showed a shortage of 40 cars during the
day and 27 during the night. These figures are based on a ratio
of 27.2 vehicles per 100 Officers deployed in a team shift.
Peat Marwick determined that, in a Platoon deployment, shortages
of 74 vehicles during the day and 32 during nights would be
experienced. VPD deployed in a platoon system in 1995 in order
to improve coverage for call loads, to allow for self initiated
time and Community Based Crime Prevention Programmes.
A VPD (1995) Vehicle Availability Study shows a potential fleet
shortage of 75 cars. Actual shortages as high as 19 cars were
recorded for some shifts. This shortage results in Police
Officers waiting at headquarters until a vehicle is available.
Due to the current shortages, most vehicles are staffed by two
officers. The VPD is unable to always meet the contractual 60/40
deployment of 2 officer/1 officer vehicles. This results in a
slower response to calls for service and less units on the road
at any given time.
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The purchase of 10 mid sized vehicles, for use by Detectives will
enable 10 fully equipped units to be transferred for Patrol use.
Future Detective cars will only be outfitted with a radio and
light package. Patrol vehicles are fully equipped with radio,
emergency lights, and computer capability. The purchase of
bicycles frees up cars to a ratio of 6 bicycles per car.
Bicycles are a more effective way of policing in some areas of
Vancouver but are not normally deployed as Patrol units.
PURPOSE
To seek Council's approval to purchase the required 10 mid-size
vehicles and 16 bicycles.
DISCUSSION
The mid-size vehicles will be used to downsize the VPD Executive
and Detective fleets from their current full sized vehicles.
This will result in a budget savings of $15,000 in the first
year, and subsequent savings of $5,000 on yearly operating and
maintenance costs. The operating costs of the bicycles will be
partially offset by this saving with the remaining costs provided
from the department's budget.
The use of mid-sized vehicles as Detective units will allow VPD
management to assess the suitability of similar units being
deployed in the Patrol function. Use of mid-sized police
package vehicles for Patrol will result in a further savings, at
purchase time, of $5,000 per vehicle.
If mid-sized vehicles are considered acceptable for Patrol
purposes, it is proposed to move to that type of vehicle. The
cost savings would allow the VPD fleet to be expanded to the
recommended level, over a number of years, with no cost increase
to the operating budget.
CURRENT VEHICLE COSTS
ITEM FULL SIZE FULL SIZE MID SIZE 1 COMPACT
2 PRE-OWNED
MARKED UNMARKED UNMARKED UNMARKED MID SIZED
Purchase
price $25,000 $25,000 $20,000 $18,150 $14,300
(inc. tax)
Outfitting
(MDT, radio
light, $12,000 $10,000 $5,1953 $5,195 3 $5,195
siren
decal)
TOTAL $37,000 $35,000 $25,195 $23,345 $19,495
1. This is based on a Taurus Police Package vehicle
2. These figures based on the Ford Contour/Chev Cavalier
3. Mid-size/compact not outfitted as 100% operational vehicles. Used only
by Detectives
SOCIAL IMPLICATIONS
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There is a negative social impact when limited vehicle
availability restricts adequate deployment of Officers. This
impact could affect the safety of women, children, and
neighbourhoods.
The requested increase in police vehicles allows the VPD to,
field more units. These units will improve our response time to
all calls for service.
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS
The cost of this expansion of the police vehicle fleet is
estimated at $243,000. Although the police fleet is not part of
the Truck and Equipment Plant Account, it is recommended that
funding for this purchase be provided from this source. The
Plant Account is a revolving fund that finances most of the
City's vehicle and equipment purchases. There is adequate
surplus cash in the account to support this purchase. This
transfer will also offset a portion of the funding provided to
the reserve from the operating budget in the 1970's
CONCLUSION
The purchase of 10 vehicles and 16 bicycles increases Patrol
Vehicle Deployment by an equivalent of 13 cars. This increase is
required to rectify a chronic shortage of vehicles.
The shortage restricts our ability to effectively field a balance
of one-member and two-member units. An increase in the fleet
size will improve our ability to efficiently deliver police
services.
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