Orting Public Safety Meeting
March 5, 2015
ATTENDANCE
Josh Penner, Orting City Council
Bill Drake, Orting Police Chief
Mark Bethune, Orting City Administrator
Tod Gunther, Orting City Council
Bill Birkes, Orting City Council
The Meeting Opened at 6:30 PM
AGENDA ITEMS
Adopt/Amend March 2015 Minutes
Adopt/Amend April 2015 Agenda
Orting Valley Fire & Rescue Update – Lt. Ryan Pickering (008)
 The fire department rating recently went down from a five to a four. Lt. Pickering reports
that they are very close to becoming a three rating. He stated that some of the factors that
have enabled this rating are increased staffing and safety. Lower ratings also positively
impact Orting residents because they help lower insurance rates.
 The department just installed an Automatic External Defibrillator at the Orting Senior
Center.
 April 7th will be the next Fire Commissioner meeting and Firefighter Colton Russell will
be “penned” for successfully completing his department probationary period. In addition,
Officer Geoff Boone is being honored for providing lifesaving CPR to a citizen.
 The EMS Levy is coming up on April 28th. This is not a new tax but a renewal.
 The department has formed a citizen advisory board. Goal of the board is to get citizen
input and ideas with regard to department decisions and direction.
Orting Police Dept. Update – Chief Drake (058)
 The department has a new records management system (RMS), Total Enforcement (TE),
which was implemented on March 3rd. This system replaced PS Net RMS. Staff is still in
the process of learning this new system and it will take a bit of time to work out some of
the “bumps” in the system. This program offers many new capabilities such as being able
to geographically map 911 calls/crime which could be useful on the city web page.
 Washington Post reporter, Eli Saslow, has been visiting Orting. He is writing a piece on
small towns and policing and has been spending time with residents, city leadership and
staff. He was present for the Public Safety Meeting.
Police Levels of Service
Staffing (104)
 Police staffing issues were discussed. We currently have an officer at the academy, one at
the reserve academy and an officer that left OPD for employment with Lakewood.
Operationally, this leaves the department down by three staff.
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
OPD is currently looking at a few lateral applicants. These are individuals that have
already gone through the police academy so we wouldn’t have to incur the academy
expense or long training time.
At the last meeting, discussion was held on trying to reach a department staff of 13.5
officers. City Administrator, Mark Bethune, reported that it would take roughly $285,000
to achieve that goal. Funding could be generated through a property tax, business and
occupation tax, utility tax or a combination of all three. The first two options require
elections.
Accreditation/Audit
 The committee discussed the benefit of an audit versus certification. Chief Drake
advocated for a state or national level accreditation due to the fact that he believed it
would “give the best road map” to get to the desired goal. In addition, he stated that he
felt it would provide rigorous standards to meet and assistance with processes to achieve
those standards. Accreditation also isn’t permanent your department must continue to
demonstrate standards in order to keep accreditation
Draft Resolution “COPS” – Councilmember Gunther (354)
 The City Administrator suggested the committee consider what they really want to see in
a police department and articulate those ideas/goals into general terms that can be taken
to the council for a vote. It then can be given to the mayor with a timeline for action.
Budget/Funding (434)
 The police capital equipment budget is invested at approximately at 4.97%.
 The police expense budget is currently invested at approximately 15.05%.
 Overtime is at 16.86% or .2% over the anticipated budget.
 Gasoline is at 9.89% or $2,954 under budget.
 Jail expenses are at 19.57% or $2,191 over the anticipated budget.
Public Education/Training (479)
 The committee discussed exploring the possibility of providing a Citizen Academy.
Bonney Lake has a successful program that the committee wants to take a closer look at
to see how they staff and fund the program.
 A drug brochure/package is being created by Councilmember Ford. Chief Drake reported
that he sent the committee members a “Neighbors Against Drugs” publication for review.
The publication had suggestions and ideas other communities have utilized with success.
 Chief Drake gave an update on closed drug houses and suspected open drug locations.
Hazard Mitigation (654)
 The committee discussed the goal of assessing and updating the hazard mitigation plan.
Bridge for Kids (657)
 March 13th a meeting will be held to discuss the latest scientific information regarding the
mountain. The meeting will be at the Public Safety Building and will be presented by two
of the leading scientists in the field.
Goals/Strategy Refinement for Retreat
 The committee reviewed six strategy proposals pertaining to public safety. Discussion
was held on the proposals, strategies, tactics, responsibility and measuring success.
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Public Testimony
 Audience member asked if the motorcycle officer was still around. Chief Drake reported
our motorcycle officer recently left for employment with the King County Sheriff.
However, the department has other officers on staff that have expressed a desire to
become certified on the motorcycle which is a two week training.
Meeting Adjourned at 7:40 PM
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