Mesa Police Department 2002 Annual Report

Administrative Services Bureau

Fiscal Management and Budget Unit

The Fiscal Management and Budget Unit is responsible for several areas, including the coordination of the departmental budget. The functions of Purchasing, Planning, Facilities Management, Fleet Management, and Supply fall under this section. This unit is responsible for monitoring and reporting all police grants and asset forfeiture funds, and communicates all financial related items to staff, such as expenditures, revenues, and available budget balances. In addition to the above areas, this unit is also responsible for planning related issues, coordinating departmental surveys, preparation of the annual report, as well as, all purchasing and procurement, coordination of the maintenance of the facilities, coordination of fleet related issues and the issuance of equipment and supplies to department members. The coordination and preparation of the biennial budget falls under this unit. The Police Department budget for the fiscal year 2002/2003 is $107,265,750.

Allocation of Police Operating Budget
2002 - 2003

The Purchasing area prepares purchase orders, tabulates bids, and recommends vendors. Facilities Management is responsible for the coordination of the maintenance and repair of all department facilities. The Supply Unit stocks and issues supplies, department forms, and some personal equipment for officers.

Technical Services Division

Evidence

The Mesa Police Department Evidence Section is staffed by an Administrative Support Assistant, seven Evidence Technicians, a Senior Evidence Technician and a Supervisor. The section has approximately 18,000 square feet of storage area for general evidence and a vehicle storage area that is capable of storing approximately ninety vehicles.

The Mesa Police Department Evidence Section received and processed approximately 63,000 items of property and evidence in 2002. This is an increase of approximately 8,000 items, or 15%, compared to 2001.

The Mesa Police Department Evidence Section disposed of approximately 38,000 items in 2002. Of this number, approximately 7,000 items were returned to owners, 1,000 items were placed in auction, and 32,000 items were destroyed. Items typically destroyed are drugs, drug paraphernalia, and damaged property.

Construction of a new refrigerator/freezer was completed in June of 2002 and nearly doubled the storage capacity for cold storage items. Items stored in these areas are from homicide, aggravated assault, sexual assault, and child molestation cases.  [News Article: "Crime Evidence Grows"]

Identification Section

The ID Section is a 24-hour service that is comprised of three different areas of job responsibilities. Crime Scene Technicians are responsible for forensic photography at crime scenes using 35mm and digital equipment. Senior Identification Technicians are responsible for responding to major crime scenes and provide services that require more specialized training. Fingerprint Technicians are responsible for fingerprinting individuals using the Livescan computerized system. Identification Services also has a Photographic Technician. For a more complete description of these functions, visit the ID website at http://www.cityofmesa.org/police/forensic_services/identification.aspx.

Latent Print Unit

During 2002, the Latent Print Unit assisted in processing a variety of criminal cases for the presence of latent prints. Over the last six months of this year, the technicians working in this unit were able to evaluate over 1,000 latent prints each month and entered an average of 144 latent prints into the Automated Fingerprint Identification System (AFIS) each month. Of the prints entered, approximately 50 hits (matching a crime scene latent print to a set of known prints from an individual) were made each month.

A new crime scene investigation tool, purchased with grant funding, was utilized by technicians to identify and recover latent prints from evidence when all other processing methods gave negative results. By using a different wavelength of light, the Reflective Ultra Violet Imaging System (RUVIS) allows the technician to find and create images of fingerprints that cannot be visually seen. This tool enhances the ability of the technicians to provide the detectives with the necessary information to solve crimes that, in the past, would never have been resolved.

Fingerprint Identification Unit

Members of the Fingerprint Identification Unit process fingerprint cards from arrestees, suspects, victims, and applicants. These fingerprints are individually searched in the Automated Fingerprint Identification System (AFIS) to determine if the person has prints on file that could associate them with other crimes or a different alias. This information is vital in determining if a person has provided false information and, if this information is not provided in a timely manner, a violent offender could be released into our community. During the last nine months of 2002, almost 8,000 individuals were matched to records already in AFIS. This is an average of almost 900 hits each month.

In addition to entering fingerprints and testifying in court, these technicians are responsible for obtaining fingerprints from people who have been arrested and released. The current system of "cite and release" for specific crimes provides needed relief for our overcrowded jails. During the last nine months of 2002, our technicians obtained court-ordered fingerprints from over 1,200 people.

Photo Laboratory

The Photo Laboratory is responsible for processing the prints and film for the Police Department. Most of these images are obtained from crime scenes, accidents, and incidents involving police activities. From May to December of 2002, the two photo technicians were able to process approximately 9,000 prints and 950 rolls of film each month.

Crime Scene Unit

The Crime Scene Unit provides on-scene, technical assistance for photographs and evidence collection, including latent prints, biological materials, trace evidence, shoeprints, and tire tracks. This 24 hour/day, 7 day/week operation is able to respond to crime scenes to assist in the documentation and evidence collection that can be critical to solving these cases. During 2002, the Crime Scene Technicians responded to 12,255 calls for service, including 6,653 calls for property crimes and 3,726 calls for persons crimes.

Crime Laboratory

The Police Department is one of only 18 agencies nationwide that is both CALEA certified and has an American Society of Crime Laboratory Directors/Laboratory Accreditation Board (ASCLD/LAB) accredited crime laboratory.  

Last year, one of the Crime Lab's goals was "to develop a more customer relevant system of statistics in order to better track customer service efforts." To address this goal, the Crime Lab conducted a satisfaction survey of its users. Survey respondents included internal police employees, as well as outside users in the court system. The purpose of the survey was to assess satisfaction levels of different customer service factors. The Crime Lab was very happy to confirm that their users provide high satisfaction ratings in all areas. Click on either chart for larger version.

The chart below shows satisfaction ratings for overall service.	The chart below details satisfaction for service quality in specific areas:

Controlled Substances Unit

The Controlled Substances Unit consists of two case-working criminalists. The responsibilities of the unit include:

• Analysis of plant material for the identification of marijuana
• Analysis of unknown powders for presence and identification of dangerous and narcotic drugs
• Analysis of pills/capsules for identification of pharmaceutical preparations and controlled substances
• Analysis of drug paraphernalia including wrappers, pipes and syringes
• Training and maintenance of the Field Drug Testing Program
• Providing analysis-related court testimony

Over the past year, this unit performed 3,643 examinations, while analyzing 1,311 cases.

DNA Unit

During 2002 the DNA Unit completed 3,400 serology and/or DNA examinations. This involved approximately 800 items from 265 cases.  This unit had 15 hits on the DNA database (CODIS), which aided in the investigation of 26 cases, by either linking cases together that were previously not linked or by providing the identity of a potential suspect. In many of these cases, no other evidence was left at the crime scene that would help identify the perpetrator of the crime.

The DNA Unit received approximately $126,000 in federally funded No-Suspect Grant monies. The DNA Unit has begun the process of analyzing and entering the DNA profiles from 100 no-suspect cases. This money is being used to provide overtime for examining the items for the presence of biological substances and for the DNA analysis of those cases. In addition, the laboratory will be purchasing new equipment and supplies needed to process these 100 cases. The DNA Unit has also applied for additional federal monies for a two-year No-Suspect Grant and, if funded, will process an additional 300 cases during the two-year term of that grant.

A very successful external audit of the DNA program was completed in September. Audits are required yearly as part of the accreditation process.  [News Article: "DNA Becomes Valuable Witness"]

Firearms Unit

The members of the Firearms Unit provide the Police Department with technical expertise in the disciplines of firearms, crime scenes, shoeprints, toolmarks, and other comparison examinations. During 2002, the National Integrated Ballistic Information Network (NIBIN) was installed at the laboratory. The installation of this equipment, which was purchased with federal funds, will allow firearms examiners to enter images of bullets and casings from crime guns. These images will be compared to a database of images from other cases throughout the southwest. Once implementation is complete, this national system will be able to link and solve violent crimes involving guns.

The Forensic Chemist assigned to the Firearms Unit was one of only ten applicants selected to attend the National Firearms Examiner Academy. This year-long program, which is totally funded by federal funds, will provide him with the training he needs to become a full-time firearms examiner for the laboratory.

Toxicology Unit

The Toxicology Unit consists of four case-working criminalists and a technical leader. The responsibilities of the unit include:

• Blood Alcohol Analyses from Driving Under the Influence (DUI) Cases
• Urine Drug Screen Analyses from Drug Impaired Drivers
• Maintenance of the Mesa Police Department's Evidential Breath Testing Instrument
• Maintenance of the Department's Preliminary Breath Test Devices (Approx. 70 devices of consisting of four different models)
• Participating in Defense interviews; responding to discovery requests and providing Expert Witness Court Testimony
• Analytical support for the Department's Drug Recognition Expert Program

During the course of the 2002 calendar year the Toxicology Unit developed and implemented a database to track cases analyzed. This database was then modified to allow generation of Scientific Analysis Reports upon completion of the analysis. Using this database to generate the reports (as opposed to manual typing of reports by administrative support staff) resulted in a measurable decrease in the overall timeframes from case submission to the availability of the lab reports in the Department's Records System (Panagon).

For the coming year, the crime laboratory's goals include:

• Moving toward increased automation and customer service through the purchase of Laboratory Information System module for DUI blood alcohol and urine drug screening
• Working together with the Evidence and ID Units to provide even better customer service by combining efforts under a single organizational structure - the Forensic Services Section
• Finalizing the plans for a much-needed new facility that will include the Crime and ID Laboratories as well as the Police Department's Supply Unit
• Continuing to study and implement new processes and technologies that enhance the ability to provide high quality, timely forensic service for the citizens of Mesa
• Working toward accreditation for all the units in the new Forensic Service Unit

The Crime Lab website can be found at www.cityofmesa.org/police/forensic_services/crime_lab.aspx.

Records

The Records Section is located in the Headquarters Building at 130 N. Robson. Records provides 24-hour service in order to provide citizens, officers, and other agencies with essential record services. This includes:

Entry and verification, of stolen property, missing and wanted persons into the Arizona and National Crime Information computer system. For 2002, this resulted in:

• 8,742 entries or cancellations of entries
• 8,796 teletypes sent to other agencies
• 11,511 Mesa City Court warrants verified
• 6,007 faxes received on record inquires
• 14,100 faxes sent in response to record inquires

For 2002, Records personnel processed 78,730 telephone requests for records from citizens, officers, and other agencies. The unit also assisted 12,096 citizens who inquired about police records at Headquarters.

For citizens, Records personnel processed 28,024 public records requests for reports, photographs, and 9-1-1 calls. An additional 702 certified record checks were completed for purposes such as adoption, visa application, and employment.

As the central repository for all police reports, the Records Section enters police reports in the Document Management System (DMS). For 2002, this included entry of:

• 103,869 Police Reports
• 20,652 Supplemental information to police reports
• 28,122 Booking/arrest records

To locate a record, an inquiry by name is made in the Police Information Management System (PIMS). For 2002, Records personnel assigned to the Data Entry Unit entered 684,901 records.

The Mesa City Council gave approval in December 2002 for an automated Records Management System. This system, once implemented, will allow officers to complete and submit reports electronically into DMS. This new system will allow the department to better serve Mesa citizens and officers.  For more information on the Records Division, or how to obtain a police report, contact http://www.cityofmesa.org/police/records/default.aspx.

Communications Division

There are three sections within the Public Safety Communications Division: Public Safety Communications, consisting of 9-1-1 emergency phone operations and dispatching for police and fire; Police Information Systems responsible for providing support for all computer and systems equipment within the Police Department; and the Alarm Services Unit which monitors alarm system permit compliance for the City of Mesa.

This year the Public Safety Communications division celebrated many successes, from providing assistance in life and death situations, to enhancing state-of-the-art technology, to monitoring compliance on 28,000 alarm system permits. The dedicated and professional members of this division take great pride in their roles of providing responsive public safety to the citizens of Mesa and our partner cities.

There are 120 public safety employees supporting the Communications division in providing the highest quality service to the community. Personnel provide 24-hour coordination of routine and emergency operations for Mesa Police and Fire, Gilbert Fire, and Apache Junction Fire. The unit handled a total of 1,388,438 phone calls, broken down as 1, 065,842 incoming calls and 322,526 outgoing calls. Over 250,000 of the incoming calls were 9-1-1 calls and 55% of those calls were from cellular phones, which represent an 8% increase in the number of cellular 911 calls in 2002 compared to 2001. The table below provides call volume data comparison between 2001 and 2002:

The Mesa Police Department prides itself on providing cutting-edge law enforcement technology to aid in the suppression of crime. Ten dedicated professionals staff the Police Information Systems section and handle all computer system support for the department's 1,300+ employees. This highly dedicated group provides Help Desk service and 24-hour support for over 1,100 computer desktop PCs, laptops, notebook and mobile computer terminals, and printers used by the department. This equipment is located at 18 facilities across the city and in over 300 vehicles.

Accomplishments for the Police Information Systems section in the year 2002 include:

• Restructured project and service priorities to effectively handle the growth in the police department without additional staffing.
• Initiated a full-time staffing position at the City's Help Desk to handle police department employee requests for computer assistance.
• Upgraded the Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) mobile application on all patrol vehicle laptops.
• Completed laptop deployment to all patrol personnel for use as mobile data terminals and in writing reports.
• The CAD Tech Team performed the annual upgrade to the CAD system.

For more information on the Systems Section visit their website at www.cityofmesa.org/police/systems/default.aspx.

The Alarm Services Unit is staffed by a full-time Alarm Coordinator and Alarm Clerk, and a part-time Police Service Assistant. This unit is responsible for monitoring over 28,000 alarm system permits for the City of Mesa. This past year saw many accomplishments for the unit:

• 5,224 new alarm permits were issued
• 20,676 alarm calls were processed for false alarm status and assessments
• 1,205 assessment letters were mailed
• 14,797 verification forms were mailed out and processed to ensure current information is on file for all alarm permit holders
• 15 False Alarm Education classes were held throughout the year in an effort to reduce the number of false alarms. 

For more information on the Alarm Services Unit visit their website at www.cityofmesa.org/police/communications/alarm.aspx.

The Public Safety Communications Division continued its work in 2002 to prepare for the 800 MHz digital-trunked radio system, which is scheduled to become operational in the summer of 2003. This new radio system will allow interoperability among cities in the Valley to ensure better management of police and fire services for all cities participating in the 800 MHz system, and provide more efficient and effective public safety.  [News Article: "Mesa 911 Computer Stars in New Video"]

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