HomeMy WebLinkAbout790600.tiff RESOLUTION
RE: ACQUISITION OF RIOT EQUIPMENT FOR THE SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT.
WHEREAS, the Board of County Commissioners of Weld County, Colorado,
pursuant to Colorado Statute and the Weld County Home Rule Charter, is
vested with the authority of administering the affairs of Weld County,
Colorado, and
WHEREAS, the Sheriff has identified an emergency need for riot equip-
ment for members of the Sheriff's Department in order to protect the lives
and property of Weld County residents and avoid risk of injury to members
of the Sheriff's Department, and
WHEREAS, the Board of County Commissioners agree with the Sheriff that
the equipment is necessary and must be acquired as soon as possible, and
WHEREAS, the Sheriff has identified the cost of the equipment to be
approximately $12,000 (TWELVE THOUSAND DOLLARS) .
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Weld County Commis-
sioners hereby authorizes the Purchasing Agent and the Sheriff to acquire
the necessary riot equipment needed by the Sheriff's Department at a cost
of approximately $12,000 (TWELVE THOUSAND DOLLARS) , and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that because of the urgent need for the
equipment that the Board of County Commissioners hereby waives the normal
bidding process for the acquisition of this equipment in order to expedite
the purchase and availability of equipment for the Sheriff's Department,
and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Board of Weld County Commissioners
hereby directs the Director of Finance and Administration to prepare a
supplemental appropriation ordinance to fund the $12,000 (TWELVE THOUSAND
DOLLARS) for the acquisition of riot equipment in 1979.
The above and foregoing resolution was, on motion duly made and seconded,
adopted by the following vote on the 31st day of October, A.D., 1979.
7906OO
SO 0007
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
WELD COUNTY, COLORADO
Norman Carlson, Chairman
Ly i nbar, Commissioner
Bill /Kirby, C issioner
Corti.cua 62,,
Leo.- d Roe, Commissioner
Ju'e Steinmark, mmissioner illATTEST: "-
Weld County Clerk and Recorder
and Clerk to the Board
By
�D puty County C
AP t 11)„.AS TO FORM:
CIChigniste
County Attorney
MEMORAnDum
DC To Mr. Don Warden Dom October 25, 1979
Finance Director
CO RADO From Undersheriff W. B. Ross no foRITY r'NMr 4"Fps
Subject: r
0CT• 1 '479
GREELEY. 0LO
Dear Mr. Warden:
With a desire in mind to provide the responsible top County Officials, the Board of
County Commissioners, with all current data and to comply with the wishes of the
Board as stated in the Budget hearing on Thursday 18 OCT 79, the following informa-
tion is forwarded to you for your consideration.
The primary factor that we, the Administrative Staff of the Weld County Sheriff's
Office, feel the County Commissioners should be aware of is that there is no safety
equipment provided to the Police Division personnel at this time. It leaves the
Board and the Sheriff, under the Vicarous Liability decisions, open for liability
even over the slightest injury incurred while at the scene of a disturbance and could
result in a Liability Tort Action.
To eliminate the possibility of the action, the following is being submitted for your
consideration:
During the early morning hours of Saturday, October 20, the Greeley Police
Department requested our assistance in dispersing a large crowd on the Uni-
versity of Northern Colorado Campus. When our officers arrived, they observed
a crowd of about 500 persons, most of whom were intoxicated, throwing rocks and
bottles at officers. Our officers did not have any protective headgear and
stood a substantial risk of being injured. However, the crowd was dispersed
without injury with only two Greeley Police Units sustaining damage. Had gas
become an alternative, our officers would have been as affected as the viola-
tors. During this incident, our officers were asked if any additional men
could assist near the Latin Quarter with a similar disturbance. Fortunately,
we had no personnel to send.
In May, 1979, approximately 2,000 demonstrators gathered at the Ft. St. Vrain
Nuclear Generator to protest nuclear power. We were prepared to disperse any
hostile crowd with gas but none of our personnel were equipped with protective
gas masks. The most available weapon to the demonstrators would have been
rocks and bottles. Our personnel were not equipped with protective headgear or
masks. Fortunately, no incident took place.
In May, 1979, an unruly crowd gathered at County Line Road and County Road 44
near Berthoud. Again, the crowd has been drinking and a year prior had thrown
rocks at officers attempting to disperse the crowd gathered for the same pur-
pose. Again, by avoiding the area, no incident took place. Had we been forced
to disperse the crowd, we did not have adequate equipment to protect our officers.
In 1978, our officers were requested to assist Ft. Lupton Police Department in
dispersing a hostile crowd of persons in Ft.Lupton. The riot that ensued in-
jured some of our officers who, again, were not protected by headgear nor pre-
pared for the eventuality of gas.
- 1 -
Mr. Don.Warden
Finance Director
Another situation looms in the future because of the strike scheduled later
this month at the meat packing plant at Monfort of Colorado. We have already
been approached by the Greeley Police for aid if needed. We are not prepared
for this situation and a substantial risk of injury to our officers is present.
Realizing that protective equipment is not something that can be obtained overnight,
it is apparent that it is still needed as soon as possible. We not only have an
obligation to provide protective equipment to our officers, but it puts Weld County
le a poor civil position. We personally observed the concern of our officers for
their safety because of inadequate equipment during the first incident described
earlier. It is apparent to us that we have been lucky so far in handling crowd sit-
• uAitions but we can not afford to ignore the situations hoping they will go away. Ft.
St. Vrain will always be with us and so will crowd situations. It is our sincere hope
that something can be done quickly before our luck runs out.
Attached is a cost analysis for protective equipment to he issued to Patrol Officers.
It is my suggestion to the Captain of the Patrol Division and to the Chief Adminis—
trators of this Department that the Board of County Commissioners be approached re—
garding this problem. While I realize the posture of fiscal restraint, Weld County
cannot afford not to do something to adequately protect its employees for job hazards.
I+sincerely fear for the safety of our officers.
I believe that this information should justify a supplemental allowance for protective
equipment.
If possible, a short bid process to the purveyors could eliminate the immediate pro-
b$bility of crowd control upcoming November 1, 1979.
Sincerely,
WILBUR B. ROSS
UNDERSHERIFF
WBR/bh
2 —
Cost Analysis for
Riot Equipment
Helmets:
In terms of maximizing individual officer safety by not comprimizing proper
helmet fit, it is in the best interest of the Department to issue this
gear as any other uniform item. Issue also increases the accountability for
equipment by insuring that abuse and location of equipment can be monitered.
In order to protect the helmet investment, two items are necessary at the
outset. The first item is a carrying bag to protect the helmet finish and
keep all related helmet componets together. The second item is optional
as an identification item affixed on the front crown of the helmet. The decal
is gold Scotchlite formed into a star with "Deputy Sheriff" in the center of
the star.
Nylon carrying case for helmet(Recommended) 50 units @ $2.50 $ 125.00
Deputy Sheriff helmet decals(Optional) 50 units @ $ .75 37.50
Total $ 162.50
Two types of helmets are costed in this analysis in order to allow Staff to
decide which is best suited for the overall needs of the Department. The cost
analysis is based upon current catalogue prices which are probably overstated
when the bid system is utilized.
Pittco Crown S&W
Color: Brown/White Color: Brown/White Color: Brown/Gold
Model: TX-300(Gen. Duty) Model: 6000(Gen. Duty) Model: 69(Gen. Duty)
Features: Full-face shield Features: Full-face shieldFeatures: Full-face shield
which can be detached, which can be detached, no which can be detached, no
no chin cup chin cup chin cup
Unit Price: $55.90 Unit Price: $50.90 Unit Price: $54.00
50 Units: $2795 50 Units: $2545 50 Units: $2700
Color: Brown/White Color: Solid Tan Color: Solid
Model: TX-610(Riot Helmet) Model: 9000 Model: 68
Features: Detachable full- Features: Permanent full- Features: Detachable full-
face shield, neck protector face shield, neck protector face shield, neck pro-
tector
Unit Price: $62.15 Unit Price: $34.95 Unit Price: $54.00
50 Units: $3,107.50 50 Units: $2,545.00 Unit Price:$2,700.00
Gas Masks:
Model M-17 full face military type CS and CN gas mask is probably the best
value for the money. Two additional items are required as well as the base
mask purchase: replacement filters and a used gas mask carrying case. Earlier
in 1979, the Department did bid out for three such masks and the prices quoted
in this analysis are based on the bid price plus inflation since February, 1979.
50 M-17 base units @ $25 ea $1,250.00
50 Used masks carrying bags @ $5-ea 250.00
50 Replacement filters @ $10 ea 500.00
Total $2,000.00
Riot Batons:
Department direction is needed in this area as to baton composition: wood or
manmade substance. For informational purposes, both types are costed.
50 26" Hickory baton w/lacquer finish $ 312.50
50 Grenade grip 26", black man-made 382.50
Vests:
To improve overall control, it is highly recommended that individual vests be
issued so location and abuse can be closely monitored. To maximize protection yet
minimize cost, a full Type II vest is costed. The Type II is a general purpose
type vest designed to stop higher velocity 357 magnum, 9mm, 00 buckshot and .45
caliber. These are the most commonly experienced type handguns.
Model Y Second Chance Tufflex Contour M-2 Safariland
50 @ $130 ea = $6,500. 50 @ $140 ea = $7,000. 50 @ $135.ea = $6,750.
Average Cost $6,750.00
Summary: _
Helmets $2,895.00
Masks 2,000.00
Batons 347.00
Vests 6,750.00
Total $11,992.00
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