Agenda Item No: 1.k
PLACENTIA CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
Meeting Date: September 3, 2024
Submitted by: Brad Butts
From: Police Department
Subject:
City Response to Grand Jury Report Entitled: Law Enforcement's Response to Mental Health Calls for Service
Financial Impact:
Fiscal Impact:
None
Summary:
The Orange County Grand Jury (OCGJ) publicly issued a report on June 5, 2024 entitled "Law Enforcement's Response to Mental Health Calls for Service." This report stated that approximately 8.8 million Americans have a severe mental illness such as schizophrenia, severe bi-polar disorder, or major depression with psychiatric features. Almost half of these people are treated on a given day. Without treatment, people with severe mental illness are at risk of experiencing negative outcomes that seriously impact them and the people around them.
Decades ago, law enforcement officers in Orange County became mental health clinicians without proper training. While State legislation has since required police agencies to increase mental health training, Orange County law enforcement agencies have surpassed the State's expectations. The OCGJ believes that law enforcement in Orange County is a model for training law enforcement personnel on mental health crisis intervention techniques and collaborating with behavioral health organizations to improve service and reduce stigma for those affected by mental illness.
The OCGJ said they felt it was vital to research via interviews with law enforcement leaders, law enforcement educators, and mental health professionals how Orange County assists individuals who suffer from mental health illness. It is important to note that this report does not focus on mental health issues that exist within the homeless community, although the OCGJ learned that a significant number of unhoused individuals suffer from mental illness, including substance abuse disorder, which leads to a significant number of police calls for service.
The Grand Jury Report (Attachment 1) provides a series of findings for local agencies to address. The City of Placentia, along with all Orange County cities and the other Orange County entities mentioned were directed by the Grand Jury to review and respond to its findings. Pursuant to State law, the City is obligated to provide a response, which is attached to this agenda report for the City Council's review (Attachment 2).
Recommendation:
Recommended Action: It is recommended that the City Council:
1. Review the City's response to the Grand Jury Report; and
2. Direct Staff to submit the attached letter to the Presiding Judge of the Orange County Grand Jury, to be signed by Mayor Yamaguchi.
Strategic Plan Statement:
This item is consistent with the City Council approved 5 -Year Strategic Goal #2 to Ensure that Public Safety Continues to be a High Priority.
Discussion:
The method of study by the OCGJ included them conducting thirty-one interviews. These interviews involved key personnel from the law enforcement agencies that provide police services to all cities and unincorporated areas of Orange County, including the policy agency at the University of California, Irvine (UCI). Interviews were also conducted at the Orange County Sheriff's Regional Academy, Golden West College Police Academy, Orange County Health Care Agency's Mental Health and Recovery Services Department, the National Alliance on Mental Illness -Orange County Chapter (NAMI OC), and Project Kinship.
In addition, the OCGJ conducted tours at Orange County Central Jail Complex, including the Intake Release Center (IRC), Men's Jail, Women's Jail, Central Justice Center Holding Facility, James A. Musick Jail, Theo Lacy Jail, Yale Navigation Center and Bridges at Kraemer Place, Orange County Juvenile Hall and Youth Leadership Academy, and Be Well -Orange Campus.
OCGJ members also attended monthly meetings of the Orange County Criminal Justice Coordinating Council (OCCJCC), which is a planning body of County government, law enforcement, courts/corrections, and social service agencies responsible for improving public safety on behalf of Orange County residents.
The OCGJ also referred to previous Grand Jury reports, Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) material, police training documents provided by the Orange County Sheriff's Regional Training Academy and Golden West College Police Academy, and local news articles and reports.
California Penal Code Sections 933 and 933.05 requires any public agency that the Grand Jury reviews to respond to the findings and recommendations of the Grand Jury Report. The City of Placentia is required to respond because it is referenced in the report along with other Orange County cities and other Orange County entities. Staff has reviewed the Grand Jury Report and drafted a response letter for the Mayor's signature on behalf of the City Council for consideration. The proposed response letter in Attachment 2 responds to each of the applicable findings listed on page 14 of the report.
Pursuant to California Penal Code Sections 933 and 933.05, the City's response to the Grand Jury Report is due on September 4, 2024. Staff recommends that the City Council review the proposed response, provide input to staff, and, if appropriate, authorize the Mayor to sign Attachment 2.
Fiscal Impact Summary:
There is no direct fiscal impact associated with the recommended actions.
Attachments
Attachment 1 - Grand Jury Report Law Enforcement's Response to Mental Health.pdf Attachment 2 - OC Grand Jury Law Enforcement Response to Mental Health Calls for Service.pdf