ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT
MEETING DATE: August 13, 2025 AGENDA CATEGORY: Consent Agreements TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council
FROM: Greg Terry, Chief of Police
DATE: July 23, 2025
SUBJECT: Master Memorandum of Understanding with Kern Behavioral Health and Recovery Services for Homeless Co-Response Program
with the Bakersfield Police Department.
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends approval of the agreement.
BACKGROUND: The Bakersfield Police Department (BPD) and Kern Behavioral Health and Recovery Services (Kern BHRS) are using innovative strategies to partner on handling behavioral health (BH) matters in our community by establ ishing a Homeless Co -Response Program focusing on those suffering from mental health issues who are also experiencing homelessness. Homeless Co -Response units consist of a police officer and a BH Clinician working together in the field. These teams can increase service capacity, decrease response times and increase efficiency while also increasing the likelihood of obtaining a positive resolution.
The BPD and Kern BHRS conducted a pilot program and during this pilot program one clinician diverted approximately 70% of the 600 plus assigned calls, preventing a police officer response over 480 times to non-emergency calls. By implementing these strategies, we will decrease law enforcement contact with subjects in crisis who are better served by BH staff inter vention and as a result decrease response times to other priority calls.
On August 31, 2022, the City and County of Kern, on behalf of Kern BHRS, entered into Agreement No. 2022-181 to solidify the joint provision of services between BPD and Kern BHRS, for a total annual amount of $405,000 ($135,000 per position), and a term date of June 30, 2023.
On August 8, 2023, the City and Kern BHRS entered into Amendment 1 to Agreement No. 2022 -181 to increase funding by $405,000 for FY23/24 and $405,000 for FY 24/25; for a revised total not to exceed amount of $1,215,000 and a term date of June 30, 2025.
The City now desires to enter into a new agreement with Kern BHRS in the amount of $405,000 and a term date of July 1, 2025, to June 30, 2026, to continue Homeless Co-Response services.
FISCAL IMPACT:
Sufficient funds are available within the Fiscal Year 2025-26 Budget and available in the PSVS fund to cover costs associated with this amendment.
COUNCIL GOAL:
Community Character & Quality of Life
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Signed Agreement