REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL
FROM: PACO BALDERRAMA, Chief of Police
Police Department
BY: MINDY CASTO, Deputy Chief
Support Division
SUBJECT
Title
Authorize the Chief of Police to execute a services and facilities contract with the Fresno County Department of Behavioral Health (DBH) to enhance the Fresno Police Department’s response to calls involving individuals experiencing a mental health crisis by continuing our existing partnership with DBH and contract mental health service providers
Body
RECOMMENDATION
The contracts represent the best interests of the City of Fresno, the Fresno County Department of Behavioral Health and members of our community needing comprehensive mental health services.
This agreement follows negotiations; where, both the Fresno County Department of Behavioral Health and the City of Fresno have mutually agreed upon a contract that will allow for continued partnerships between both agencies.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
In January 2017, Council approved a contract between Fresno County Department of Behavioral Health and the Fresno Police Department where specially trained officers and certified mental health practitioners would co-locate and co-respond to calls involving individuals in need of mental health services.
Council approval is being sought to authorize the City of Fresno to execute the attached services and facilities use contracts with the Fresno County Department of Behavioral Health allowing for the police department to locate within the Fresno County Health and Wellness Center as well as obtaining reimbursement up to $218,915 for costs associated with the unit operations (vehicle maintenance, computers, training etc.) as outlined in the attached contracts.
BACKGROUND
Since 2017, the department has allocated 4 officers and 1 sergeant to be assigned to the Crisis Intervention Team. At the present time, due to staffing challenges and a long-term injury there are only 2 officers actively working the assignment. Members of unit have received additional training related to responding to calls involving individuals in mental crisis and serve as subject matter experts to other officers. Team members are partnered with mental health clinicians with the primary goal of providing the best comprehensive, wrap-around services to individuals in need. During 2021, CIT officers responded to over 1500 calls for services which represents approximately 25 percent of the total mental health related calls received by the department. As we know, many of the individuals experiencing crisis can be volatile, dangerous, and unpredictable. Team members have been successful in de-escalating nearly all these calls without any uses of force or injury to the individual or officers.
Operationally, unit members respond to 911 calls involving a person in crisis working toward a safe and appropriate resolution. Additionally, members work closely with our mental health partners to provide effective case management to individuals who have experienced multiple mental health crisis. Case management and follow-up has reduced repeat calls for service which frees up patrol resources to respond to other emergency calls for service.
The Crisis Intervention Team operates within the City of Fresno and is co-located and shares office space with mental health clinicians at the Fresno County Health and Wellness Center.
ENVIRONMENTAL FINDINGS
Pursuant to California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines Section 15378, this item is not a project for the purposes of CEQA.
LOCAL PREFERENCE
Local preference is not applicable because these contracts are not the subject of a competitive bid
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact to the department as the Fresno County Department of Behavioral Health will reimburse the department for equipment and training needs related to the unit’s operation.
Attachments:
01.0 - services contract
02.0 - facilities use contract