I am writing to request your approval to contract with a police accreditation consultant to assist with our city's police department accreditation efforts. The accreditation process through the Commission for Florida Law Enforcement Accreditation, Inc (CFA) is vital to ensure our police department meets the highest standards of professionalism and accountability. As we embark on the arduous process of becoming an accredited police agency through the CFA, we will need the services of a top-quality accreditation consultant to assist us with the accreditation process.
To select a highly qualified accreditation consultant, the city conducted a Request for Proposal (RFP) bid. After a thorough RFP bid selection process, we selected a police accreditation consultant who has extensive experience with the accreditation process through the CFA. Frank Ruggiero was the sole bidder and submitted a comprehensive bid for these services that fully satisfied the requirements listed in the RFP bid. This consultant has a proven track record of successfully guiding police departments through the accreditation process in the State of Florida. In 2020, this consultant was named by the State of Florida as Accreditation Assessment Team Leader of the year, he is a certified CFA accreditation professional, and sits on the CFA's Standards and Interpretation Committee. Frank Ruggiero has conducted hundreds of police agency accreditation assessments throughout the State of Florida over the last ten-years and has led the Tarpon Springs Police Department (as accreditation manager) through its initial accreditation award, and three very successful re-accreditations which occur every three years. The consultant currently serves as a Major with the Tarpon Springs Police Department and oversees their accreditation program. He has lived in the New Port Richey area for many years and is in close driving proximity to the police department.
By working with this consultant, we can ensure our police department is adhering to the best practices and standards as set forth by the CFA. The consultant will guide (as defined by the scope of services in the consulting contract) our agency through the accreditation process with the CFA to achieve the goal of becoming a fully accredited police agency.
Our City Attorney thoroughly vetted the one-year contract before you, and it clearly outlines the scope and duties of the accreditation consultant. The contract has a provision that the city will not pay the consultant over $5,417.00 per month with the total contract amount not exceeding $65,000.00 and the contract has an early termination clause for both parties. The term of the contract and the early termination clause are outlined in section V and VI of the agreement. I strongly urge the City Council to approve the accreditation consulting contract agreement with Frank Ruggiero. This consultant's expertise and guidance will be invaluable in helping us achieve and maintain the status of being a fully accredited police agency.