LTC 631-2019 Update on the Implementation of Recommendations from the Matrix Study for the Miami Beach Police Department MIAMI BEACH
OFFICE OF THE CITY MANAGER
NO. LTC# 631-2019 LETTER TO COMMISSION
To: Mayor Dan Gelber and Members of he City C��nmmiss.on
FROM: Jimmy L. Morales, City Manager
DATE: December 6, 2019
SUBJECT: Update on the Implementation of kecommendations from the
Matrix Study for the Miami Beach Police Department
This Letter to the Mayor and City Commissioners is to provide information on the status of
implementing recommendations from the Final Report on the Patrol Staffing and Deployment
Study (Matrix Study) conducted by the Matrix Consulting Group and completed in October 2018.
This study was commissioned to assist the leadership of the Miami Beach Police Department in
determining the most effective and efficient means of deploying personnel in the Operations
Division. The Operations Division is the most visible component of the MBPD and encompasses
the assignment of street patrol officers, specialized units and their administrative support functions.
The methodology of the study included on-site interviews with MBPD leadership, managers, and
unit supervisors throughout the Operations Division, ride-alongs in each patrol area and with
specialized units, and data collection.
Below is a summary of the study recommendations:
Patrol:
1. Officers in Ocean Drive Squad, Washington Avenue Beat, and special patrol assignments
(Venetian Detail, South of 5th, North Bay Rd, etc.) should be considered as part of minimum
staffing requirements for the hours they are on duty.
2. RDA minimum staffing requirements should remain separate from those of regular patrol.
3. Continue organizing staff within the four-area configuration but change minimum staffing
to two requirements: south areas (1 and 4) and northern areas (2 and 3). Lieutenants
would be responsible for ensuring that deployment in each area is balanced.
4. Revise minimum staffing requirements to the following levels, organized by shift and area:
1. Days: 11 officers in south (areas 1 and 4), 10 officers in north
2. Noons: 10 officers in south, 8 officers in north
3. Mids: 10 officers in south, 7 officers in north
4. Reallocate 12 officer positions to new field capabilities (as described in other
recommendations), for a total of 160 filled positions in patrol.
5. Contingent upon changes to minimum staffing levels, adopt Alternative B shift
schedule after consulting with patrol personnel and making modifications as
needed.
6. Assign three (3) of the reallocated patrol officer positions to the Traffic Operations
Unit, working in a role focused license plate reader enforcement around key
gateways to Miami Beach
7. Assign two (2) of the reallocated patrol officer positions to the Ocean Drive Squad
(one on each team) on focused roles targeting beach theft and other issues in the
South Beach area, working modified hours of 1100 to 2100.
8. Reallocate the remaining recommended seven (7) patrol officer positions based on
a review of priorities with command staff. Continue to keep regular patrol staffing
(including personnel assigned to the RDA) at or above at least 160 filled officer
positions.
These recommendations are being analyzed.
Specialized and Support Units:
• The MBPD should increase the authorized number of NROs from three (3) to four (4)
officers, with the new officer assigned to the Area 4 patrol beat. The department currently
has three (3) NROs.
This is complete.
• The MBPD should formally create the Neighborhood Resource Unit (NRU). This Unit
should be overseen by a newly authorized sergeant position, resulting in a total Unit staffing
of four (4) officers, and one (1) sergeant. This is an increase of two (2) FTEs over the
current deployment.
This is part of newly created Community Affairs Unit.
• The MBPD should increase the authorized number of Detention Officers from seven (7) to
eight (8) FTEs. The MBPD currently has seven (7) filled Detention Officer positions.
The overtime for Detention Officers is being analyzed.
• MBPD should maintain the current authorized staffing of two (2) Sergeants and fourteen
(14) Officers within the Motor Unit.
This is the current staffing for the Motor Unit.
• The MBPD should increase the authorized staffing within the Traffic Investigations Unit
from four (4) to five (5) Detectives. The MBPD currently has one (1) Sergeant and four (4)
Detectives positions filled.
Two officers have been added to the traffic enforcement unit.
• The MBPD should fully fund the position of RDA Lieutenant, thereby reducing the
supervisory ration of the Traffic Unit Lieutenant and better aligning RDA supervision with
other patrol functions.
RDA has a dedicated Lieutenant supervising the unit.
• The MBPD should maintain the current authorized staffing of four (4) Crime Analysts, and
one (1) Supervisor in the Crime Analysis Unit. The Unit currently has one (1) Supervisor
and two ((2) Analyst positions filled.
The Crime Analyst Unit is fully staffed with 1 supervisor and 4 analysts.
• The MBPD should formalize the creation of the Crime Analysis Unit, with the Crime
Analysts reporting to the Unit Supervisor. This unit should be centralized within the MBPD
headquarters building.
The Crime Analyst Unit is a formal unit located in the MBPD headquarters.
• The MBPD should maintain the current staffing of four (4) officers and one (1) sergeant in
the Marine Patrol Unit.
The Marine Patrol Unit is fully staffed with 1 sergeant and 4 officers.
• The MBPD should consider modifying the current Marine Patrol Unit deployment model to
concentrate existing officers on the weekends and authorize increased access to qualified
officers to assist Marine Units during special events and holiday weekends.
The Marine Patrol Unit has personnel working during the weekend. Training for
additional officers to use the Boston Whaler boats is planned.
• The Marine Patrol Unit should place an emphasis on tracking all boating relating contacts
that are not currently tracked through other databases, such as the Department CAD
system.
• The MBPD should maintain the current staffing of five (5) School Liaison Officers, and one
(1) supervisor in the School Liaison Unit. The School Resource Officer Unit currently has
one (1) supervisor and five (5) officer positions.
The School Resource Officer Unit has 1 Sergeant and 6 Officers.
• The MBPD should maintain the current authorized staffing of one (1) Sergeant and four(4)
Officers within the Homeless Liaison Unit and fill the current vacant officer position. The
Homeless Liaison Unit currently has one (1) supervisor and three (3) officer positions filled.
The Homeless Liaison Unit has 1 Sergeant and 4 Officers
• The MBPD should consolidate the Neighborhood Resource Unit, Homeless Liaison Unit,
and the School Liaison Unit under one newly created Community Engagement Unit,
supervised by a Lieutenant who reports to the Operations Division Major.
These Units are part of the Community Affairs Unit and report to a Captain and Major
in the Support Services Division.
We are continuing to work with the Matrix Consulting Group to look at cost savings and efficiencies
in departmental operations and allocation of resources. We will be bringing any such
recommendations as part of the budget process for FY 2021
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