Agenda ReportFullerton City Council
Agenda Report
Fullerton City Council
MEETING DATE: AUGUST 6, 2024
TO: CITY COUNCIL / SUCCESSOR AGENCY
SUBMITTED BY: JON RADUS, CHIEF OF POLICE
PREPARED BY: LAUREN PARKHOUSE, SENIOR ADMINISTRATIVE ANALYST SUBJECT: CITY OF FULLERTON RESPONSE TO ORANGE COUNTY GRAND JURY REPORT “LAW ENFORCEMENT’S RESPONSE TO MENTAL HEALTH CALLS FOR SERVICE”
SUMMARY
The Orange County Grand Jury released a report titled “Law Enforcement’s Response to Mental Health Calls for Service” containing findings and recommendations requiring responses from all Orange County cities.
PROPOSED MOTION
Review the 2023-24 Orange County Grand Jury report titled “Law Enforcement’s Response to Mental Health Calls for Service.” Approve City response letter to the Superior Court Presiding Judge and Orange County Grand Jury.
ALTERNATIVE OPTIONS
Approve the Proposed Motion
Discuss changes to the response letter
Other options brought by City Council.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends the Proposed Motion.
CITY MANAGER REMARKS
The City Manager recommends that the City Council approve the letter drafted for the Mayor’s signature.
PRIORITY POLICY STATEMENT
This item matches the following Priority Policy Statement:
Public Safety.
FISCAL IMPACT
None.
BACKGROUND AND DISCUSSION
The Orange County Grand Jury published a report titled “Law Enforcement’s Response to Mental Health Calls for Service” on May 30, 2024. The report included findings and recommendations that require a response from all Orange County cities within 90 days of the report.
The Orange County Grand Jury report contained the following principal findings:
F1. Mental health training for law enforcement officers in Orange County exceeds State requirements, resulting in law enforcement applying these skills to better evaluate and handle mental health calls for service.
F2. Law enforcement agencies in Orange County developed unique ways to deal with mental health calls in their communities based on their needs and budgets, enabling law enforcement to better serve their communities.
F3. Law enforcement collaboration with County PERT clinicians and Be Well mobile response units has proven an effective tool when responding to mental health calls for service.
F4. People with mental illness respond more positively to “soft uniformed” police personnel, which can effectively de-escalate situations.
F5. Follow-up case management is not only necessary but critical for the well-being of people experiencing mental health issues.
The 2023-24 Orange County Grand Jury report determined that Orange County law enforcement agencies developed unique techniques to adequately address mental health calls and had no recommendations.
Attachments:
Attachment 1 - Grand Jury Report
Attachment 2 - Response Letter to Grand Jury Report
cc: City Manager Eric J. Levitt
OC Grand Jury Report Response “Response to Mental Health Calls for Service” August 6, 2024 - Page 2