Fort Worth Police Department Strategic Plan
answer calls for service and 50 percent is available for self-initiated activity, community policing, and patrolling. In comparison, when 40 percent of the average patrol officer’s time is reserved to answer calls for service, and 60 percent is available for self-initiated activity, community policing, and patrolling, 790 patrol officers and 113 sergeants are required.
Growth Factor
The growth factor assessment provides insight into the required number of patrol officers and sergeants based upon current conditions. Over the next five years, the City of Fort Worth will grow in population and geographically. In 2021, FWPD it is expected that Fort Worth will serve a larger population and cover a larger geographic area. Population projections exceed approximately 950,000 persons, while the police service area could grow by more than 25 square miles by 2021. The growth factor formula uses the average of projected annual population growth (2.7 percent), projected annual growth in service area (1.5 percent), and growth in calls for service over the past year (0.4 percent). The total growth factor equals 1.5 percent annually. FWPD recommends an average of the models described above to meet the current estimated staffing needs in patrol . For patrol staffing needs in the next five years, FWPD recommends adding a 1.5 growth factor to the average of all models. The average of all models shows that 747 patrol officers and 107 patrol sergeants are currently required for Patrol. Applying the growth factor, 805 patrol officers, and 115 patrol sergeants will be required by 2021. As of 2016, the Patrol Bureau needs 72 patrol officers and 31 sergeants to achieve the average of the staffing models. Due to additional population growth and service area expansion expected by 2021, 58 patrol officers and 8 sergeants will be needed in addition to the 2016 deficit for a total additional positions of 130 officers and 39 sergeants . Figure 3.7 summarizes these findings. 2016 Patrol Staffing Recommendation
Figure 3.7. Patrol Bureau Staffing Summary
Patrol Bureau Staffing Summary
Patrol Officers Patrol Sergeants Total
Current Staffing Need 5-Year Staffing Need Total needed by 2021
72 58
31
103
8
66
130
39
169
Current Staffing Need is based on average of models; 5-Year Staffing Need is based on growth factor.
Increasing staffing levels to the recommended totals will allow FWPD to fully implement a beat policing concept, allow a patrol officer to dedicate on average 55 percent of their time to proactive activities, and meet a span of control ratio of 1 sergeant to 7 patrol officers .
How Growth Affects the Fort Worth Police Department
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