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In a comprehensive budget workbook, Roanoke Rapids police Chief Bobby Martin Tuesday outlined his goals for the upcoming fiscal year during city council's work session.

The goals are:

Improvements to the existing radio system

Provide officers with fully upfitted patrol vehicles

Restore the department’s budget to pre-COVID conditions

Employ a full staff with up-to-date technology

Improve recruitment and retention

Re-establish community watch programs

Citizens on Patrol recruitment and the COP Academy

Continue to improve community initiatives

Utilize the substation on Jackson Street for more community engagement opportunities

“We have to take into consideration that the police department’s overall budget has been reduced by $440,406 in the last three years,” Martin said.

The department did get five vehicles upfitted for fiscal year 2021-22, Martin said. However, the goal to get other equipment needed will not be obtainable and will put the department behind with plans to keep up-to-date equipment to carry out their duties.

An increase in the budget would “enable the police department to carry out and continue to provide public service to the citizens of Roanoke Rapids by the best possible means and allow our agency to travel towards the pathway of reaching the three-year goals that are set forth by the minimum yearly budget increase toward vehicles, equipment, technology and a rate of pay for employees.”

Martin said 2020 and last year saw the police department understaffed by seven openings and three frozen positions. “In the midst of COVID-19, the police department saved approximately $34,000 to include online training versus in-person, participate in an equipment surplus program, and to eliminate the officer on-call program.”

During this time the department has experienced expense increases beyond its control — a 20 percent increase in fuel costs; an ammunition cost increase; a 25 percent increase in personal protective equipment cost; body armor cost increase; equipment; uniforms; state-mandated forms; and parts.

Martin is requesting the following capital items:

Seven upfitted vehicles at a total cost of $280,000

Twenty laptops at a total cost of $20,000

Seven in-car cameras at a total cost of $38,500

Fifty portable Viper radios at a total cost of $150,000

Fifty in-car Viper radios at a total cost of $175,000

Needs

“One of the biggest challenges facing the Roanoke Rapids Police Department is retention and recruitment,” Martin said.

In a 2021 survey by the Police Executive Research Forum, law enforcement agencies reported an 18 percent increase in resignations and a 45 percent increase in retirements.

Some of the factors cited were:

Seeking jobs outside law enforcement for better pay and better hours

Negativity surrounding law enforcement in general

Pandemic fatigue due to longer hours because of manpower shortages and overtime to help cover shifts

Surrounding areas starting at higher salaries with further incentives after six months. 

Ahoskie pays $41,318 to officers out of basic law enforcement training and a 5 percent increase after six months while Murfreesboro starts at $38,500 with a 5 percent increase after six months.

Radios

The biggest need for the police department is radios, Martin said. “We continue to struggle with reception and reliability with the radios we have. They have served their purpose but we have gone long enough without quality radio service. We are pushing officer safety to the limits with outdated radio equipment.”

Martin said the department looks to move forward with the Viper radio system. “This system was built with first responders and emergency management in mind.”

The department has spent roughly $117,545 with an average of $16,792 on its current radio system.

The Viper system, which is maintained by the state, would cut the repair costs the city now pays.

Patrol vehicles

The purchase of five Dodge Durangos last year was a good start, Martin said, but added, “We need to continue purchasing vehicles to ensure a reliable fleet and continue to cut down on the maintenance of the fleet.”

Martin continues to support looking into the Enterprise Fleet Management system just as the Halifax County Sheriff’s Office has done. “I have spoken to the administration at the sheriff’s office and they are pleased thus far with the service and ability to have a replenished fleet.”

Technology is another need and the department wants to reinstate the in-car camera program to give officers added protection. “The in-car cameras are a viable piece of technology that is just as imperative to have as the siren and blue lights. The in-car camera is just another line of defense for false accusations and can provide valuable evidence for a court case.

Unfreezing positions and proposed salary structure

The police department currently has a frozen position in criminal investigations and one position in narcotics. “I believe unfreezing all positions at the police department would give us the ability to have a fully-staffed police department,” the chief said.

This would also cut down on overtime and comp time that is currently used to compensate officers constantly working over to help cover other shifts.

The department has been approved for a COPS Hiring Grant in the amount of $110,524 which would cover a PACE officer position for three years.

Out of four salary adjustment scenarios, Martin is currently recommending one in which officers who are below $41,000 will receive an increase of $3,000 and the remaining officers will be given an increase of 3 percent which would total $99,828.

This scenario, Martin said, would increase the salary line from $1,835,065 to $1,934,894.

“All departments have limped along using the bare minimum in equipment and sometimes manpower,” Martin said. “We as a city need to move forward with technology and updated equipment to draw in new talent and to ensure the citizens are getting quality service from the many departments within the city.”

Martin said, “We have done a great job working with less but this takes a toll on the employees over time and leads to the never-ending revolving door of employees coming and going.”

Said Martin: “The ability to recruit strong talent and retain this talent can be aided by good, quality equipment, good pay and the belief our leaders support them through action and not just words.”