As a supervisor in a criminal justice agency, you may be responsible for proposing and implementing initiatives or programs that can support their police departments mission or goals. Budgeting experience will help you show stakeholders and partners the costs and benefits of supporting your ideas.
In this assessment, you will synthesize what you have learned in the course to propose a budget for a criminal justice initiative of your choice.
Assessment Deliverable
Select a criminal justice initiative that is of interest to you.
Create a 2-part budgeting proposal (presentation and executive summary) in which you propose a budget for the initiative, align it to outcomes, and provide a strategy for budgeting accountability.
Develop your proposal as though you are a criminal justice professional responsible for putting together a budget presentation for a supervisor.
Part 1: Create a 12- to 15-slide presentation that includes the following headings and topics:
Initiative Objectives
Summarize the initiative you would like to implement.
Identify the criminal justice domain (law enforcement, courts, corrections) and level of government (federal, state, local) for which the initiative is suitable.
Justify the initiative by explaining why the initiative is necessary or useful to the organization. Incorporate relevant details related to the organizations mission statement.
Budgetary Costs
Estimate the total cost of the initiative.
Explain the direct and indirect costs associated with the budget.
Include direct and/or indirect expenditures and their associated costs (e.g., salaries/wages, facilities, equipment, material/supplies, travel, consultants).
Include capital expenditures.
Budgetary Sources
Explain the budget source(s) you will use for the initiative. Include details related to public sector funding and other relevant sources of funds.
Budgetary Approach
Analyze how a performance-based budget approach will support the budget proposal. Note: Review Table 6-1 in Ch. 6, Budget System Reforms: Trying to Make Better Choices, of Fiscal Administration.
Identify 23 desired performance outcomes of the initiative.
Explain the budgetary costs required to track and meet the desired performance outcomes.
Accounting
Explain how you will ensure consistent accountability and transparency in the budget process.
Explain how the budget will be audited or reviewed and the review process.
Explain how you will measure outcomes or progress of the initiative through the budget.
Explain strategies you will use to reduce or prevent errors.
Part 2: Write a 260- to 350-word executive summary in which you:
Summarize your initiative and budget proposal.
Provide 12 action steps your supervisor should take to approve the budget for the initiative.
Budget Proposal for Community Policing Initiative
Part 1: Presentation Outline
Slide 1: Title Slide
- Title: Budget Proposal for Community Policing Initiative
- Subtitle: Enhancing Community Trust and Safety
- Your Name and Position
- Date
Slide 2: Initiative Objectives
- Summarize the Initiative: The Community Policing Initiative aims to foster better relationships between law enforcement and community members through proactive engagement, education, and collaboration.
- Criminal Justice Domain: Law enforcement
- Level of Government: Local government
Slide 3: Justification for the Initiative
- Necessity: Increasing tensions between police and communities necessitate a shift toward community policing to enhance public trust and safety.
- Alignment with Mission Statement: The initiative supports the agency's mission to protect and serve by promoting transparency, accountability, and community collaboration.
Slide 4: Budgetary Costs Overview
- Total Estimated Cost: $150,000 for the first year.
- Direct Costs: Salaries for community officers, training sessions, materials for community outreach programs.
- Indirect Costs: Administrative overhead, utility expenses.
Slide 5: Direct and Indirect Costs
- Direct Expenditures:
- Salaries/Wages: $100,000 (2 community liaison officers)
- Training: $20,000 (workshops and seminars)
- Materials/Supplies: $10,000 (brochures, outreach kits)
- Travel: $5,000 (community events)
- Indirect Expenditures:
- Administrative Support: $10,000
- Utilities/Facilities Cost: $5,000
Slide 6: Capital Expenditures
- Equipment Needs:- Outreach vehicle (branding): $30,000
- Communication tools (radios, smartphones): $10,000
Slide 7: Budgetary Sources
- Funding Sources:- Local Government Funding: $100,000
- Grants from Nonprofits Focused on Policing Reform: $30,000
- Community Fundraising Initiatives: $20,000
Slide 8: Budgetary Approach
- Performance-Based Budgeting: This approach will help prioritize funding based on measurable outcomes, ensuring resources are allocated effectively.
Slide 9: Desired Performance Outcomes
1. Increase in community engagement activities by 50%.
2. Reduction in crime rates in targeted neighborhoods by 20%.
3. Improvement in community satisfaction surveys by 30%.
4. Enhanced officer training participation rates to 100%.
5. Establishment of a community advisory board within the first year.
Slide 10: Budget Tracking for Performance Outcomes
- Tracking Costs: Allocate $10,000 for data collection tools and performance metrics tracking.
- Performance Evaluation: Regular assessments every six months to measure progress towards desired outcomes.
Slide 11: Accounting and Accountability
- Transparency Measures: Regularly publish budget updates and performance metrics to stakeholders.
- Audit Process: Annual audits by an independent firm to ensure compliance and proper use of funds.
Slide 12: Error Prevention Strategies
- Training for Staff: Conduct regular financial management workshops.
- Double-checking Procedures: Implement a system of checks and balances for all budget-related transactions.
Slide 13: Conclusion
- Summarize the anticipated benefits of the initiative and emphasize the importance of community trust and safety in law enforcement.
Slide 14: Questions
- Open the floor for questions or discussions from stakeholders.
Part 2: Executive Summary
The Community Policing Initiative aims to strengthen relationships between law enforcement and local communities through proactive engagement and collaboration. With a proposed budget of $150,000 for the first year, this initiative focuses on hiring community liaison officers, conducting training sessions, and creating outreach programs that address community concerns while fostering transparency and trust.
To gain approval for this budget, the following action steps should be taken:
1. Prepare a detailed presentation outlining objectives and costs.
2. Schedule a meeting with key stakeholders to discuss the initiative.
3. Distribute a summary of the initiative’s goals to garner support.
4. Engage with community members to showcase the importance of their input.
5. Identify potential grant opportunities for additional funding.
6. Prepare a performance metrics plan to measure success.
7. Establish a dedicated team to oversee implementation.
8. Set a timeline for program rollout and community engagement activities.
9. Secure buy-in from department leadership regarding the initiative's alignment with agency goals.
10. Develop a communication strategy for ongoing updates to stakeholders.
11. Schedule regular check-ins with community advisory boards for feedback.
12. Prepare documentation for auditing processes to ensure financial accountability.
By following these steps, the Community Policing Initiative can secure the necessary support and resources to foster safer, more connected communities.