ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT
MEETING DATE: January 7, 2026 AGENDA CATEGORY: Consent - Agreements TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council
FROM: Greg Terry, Chief of Police
DATE: December 16, 2025
SUBJECT: Agreement with Shielding the Frontline, Kern County ($192,000) for counseling services for the Bakersfield Police Department (BPD) frontline personnel and their families.
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends approval of agreement.
BACKGROUND: Police Officers routinely respond to critical incidents, and work with difficult, even hostile individuals, they encounter an array of many complex situations as they serve our community. This can cause mental fatigue and stress that affect their work and personal lives. The strategy directed by BPD is to provide more peer support services and assist officers and employees in dealing with stress and anxiety that has manifested in a variety of ways.
The BPD has been monitoring these signs, and the inevitable effects on employees and has begun taking steps to address various wellness issues. The goal is to promote the mission of public safety through a culture of wellness and partner with community resources to advance that culture.
On August 22, 2023, the Bakersfield Police Department (BPD) entered into agreement No. PD23-036 with Shielding the Front Line, Kern C ounty in the amount of $40,000 and a term date of August 22, 2024, for counseling services for frontline law enforcement personnel and their families.
Shielding the Frontline, Kern County (SFKC) is a 501c3 nonprofit committed to serving the behavioral health needs of Bakersfield Police Department sworn personnel. The scope of services provided to BPD sworn personnel include confidential in-person and telehealth counseling services through a network of 24 licensed clinicians specializing in trauma, behavio ral health, and family support. As part of the nonprofit, these professionals have been contracted at discounted rates to support their mission.
Due to the success of the program and new funding provided by the Department of Justice (DOJ) Community Orie nted Policing Services (COPS) Law Enforcement Mental Health and Wellness Act (LEMHWA) Grant Program in the amount of $192,000 the BPD requests to enter into a new contract with Shielding the Frontline, Kern County with a term date to end December 31, 2027 to continue counseling services for frontline law enforcement and their families.
FISCAL IMPACT: Funding for these services will be covered by the LEMHWA grant funds for officer wellness services.
COUNCIL GOAL:
Community Character & Quality of Life
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Signed agreement
2. Exhibit A