The Board of the Office of Public Health and Safety voted March 5 to recommend that the chief of police execute a professional services agreement between IMPD and the National Policing Institute for research and evaluation, with total compensation not to exceed $240,315.

Deputy Chief Kevin Wellington, IMPD, told the board the contract is the final component of an $800,000 Smart Policing Initiative BJAA grant awarded in 2023 and that the grant period was modified to extend through Sept. 30, 2026. "It is all focused on efficacy in, using technology to address crime initiatives and to make sure that there is transparency," Wellington said, describing the work as an evidence-based, start-to-finish review of how tips and technology are used, stored and disseminated in the real-time crime center.

The study will have researchers evaluate how investigators use technology tools, whether current practices follow best practices and standard operating procedures, and what policies are needed to protect civil rights while enabling investigations. Wellington said the grant originally funded a civilian crime analyst position and overtime; the contract with the National Policing Institute is intended to produce a final oversight and policy report based on that work.

Wellington told the board the grant paid for a full-time analyst and related overtime and benefits, and that the analyst position will be absorbed into the department's personnel model after the grant. He also said the professional services contract's payment schedule includes an initial payment 30 days after execution and four follow-on payments, with final payment due Sept. 30, 2026. A board member raised a procedural question about whether services already rendered were being billed to the contract; Wellington said the contract aligns payment to the grant period.

The board chair called for a motion to approve agenda item 030525a, the professional services agreement between IMPD and the National Policing Institute; the motion was moved and seconded and the board recorded the ayes and approved the item.

The board meeting opened and closed routine business before this item; the next board meeting was announced for April 2 at 9:30 a.m.