CITY COUNCIL STAFF REPORT
Meeting Date: August 18, 2025
TO: THE HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCILMEMBERS
TITLE: ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. ___-25 ACCPETING FUNDS AND
AUTHORIZING EXPENDITURES FROM THE CALIFORNIA
SUPPLEMENTAL LAW ENFORCEMENT SERVICES ACCOUNT
(SLESA)
SYNOPSIS
The purpose of this item is to accept Fiscal Year 2025-26 grant funds and authorize the recommended use of grant funds from the California Supplemental Law Enforcement Services Account (SLESA).
DISCUSSION
Background
In 1996, California state legislation (AB 3229) created the Citizens Options for Public Safety (COPS) program allocating $100,000 to eligible local governments yearly for front line law enforcement services. These funds are distributed through the SLESA. SLESA funds can be used for salaries, services, supplies, equipment, and administrative overhead. SLESA funds cannot be diverted into an entity’s general fund and must be used for the aforementioned front line law enforcement services. The size of the total award to each recipient is proportionate to population with the minimum award for all entities set at $100,000 yearly.
The Pleasant Hill 2025-26 fiscal year award is approximately $174,000. Enabling legislation specifies a city council must appropriate funds as specified in the written request of the entity’s chief of police. Funds are distributed from the State to the County, which then distributes the funds to the City.
Analysis
The Police Department’s proposed use of SLESA funds in FY 2025-26 will go toward funding the following items:
Automated License Plate Reader and Pan Tilt Zoom Camera Expansion and upgrading of the current Automated License Plate Reader (ALPR) program.
Several of our current ALPR cameras are over five years old and have required repairs. Staff anticipates the need will arise to replace and upgrade several of these cameras. ALPR captures digital images of vehicle license plates as they pass the reader camera. Any license plate matched to a license plate in the system’s database is reported in real time to law enforcement. This information enables officers to take action based on the type of data received. ALPR systems are very effective in locating and recovering stolen vehicles, alerting law enforcement officers to vehicles wanted in connection with other crimes, and obtaining investigative data that assist law enforcement in investigating and solving criminal cases. This technology is one of many programs designed to keep the City of Pleasant Hill safe and prevent crime.
It is imperative that the Police Department leverage additional resources to supplement our current community-oriented policing model with a technology-driven policy approach to reducing crime and solving investigations. The use of live stream pan tilt zoom video cameras (PTZ) in fixed locations has provided greater deterrence, coverage, and more detailed information for law enforcement to handle active incidents, prevent crime, increase public safety, and solve cases. In addition, PTZ video cameras can also be used to support the city’s emergency operations center.
The Police Department requests a commitment of $40,000 from SLESA funds for the purchase of ALPR and PTZ equipment.
Dispatch Supervisor Position
Until 2019, the supervision of the professional staff in the Support Services Division fell to a single civilian supervisor, but because of the ongoing changes and significant increased work requirements, it was no longer feasible to have a single supervisor oversee the numerous employees and job functions. Consequently, this led to a reorganization of the Support Services Division and the recommendation for a new Dispatch Supervisor position.
The Police Department requests a commitment of $30,000 from SLESA funds to offset the cost for this position.
Organizational Wellness
Organizational and employee wellness is an important component of any police organization.
While the city has an Employee Assistance Program (EAP) in place, Police Department employees have found it difficult to secure timely therapy and support services through the EAP. As Police Department employees are exposed to traumatic and stressful incidents on a regular basis, it was a concern that support services could not be obtained in a timely manner.
In June 2024, the Police Department secured a contract with a local Licensed Clinical Social Worker to serve as the department’s designated therapist. This provided Police Department employees with an alternative to therapy services provided through EAP. Not a replacement, but an alternative that would make securing a therapist and scheduling therapy appointments more accessible and timelier for Police Department employees.
The Police Department requests a commitment of $15,000 from SLESA funds to cover the continued use of a designated Police Department therapist.
Unmanned Aerial Systems
The advancement in technology of Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) has rapidly evolved, creating many potential uses by local law enforcement agencies. Current UAS public safety uses include:
hazmat spills; explosive ordnance disposal (EOD); search and rescue missions; investigating and documenting crime scenes; barricaded suspect surveillance; active shooters; execution of search warrants; disaster response and recovery; training; and assistance requests from local and state fire authorities. The purpose of a UAS program is to increase public and first responder safety and provide a higher level of police service to the community. Our UAS program has been in operation since 2021, with dozens of successful deployments each year. The UAS team currently has seven members and 10 drones. Two members of the UAS team are also assigned to the Central County SWAT team and regularly deploy with the team. As UAS team responsibilities increase, it will require training and updated equipment for use by the team. Some of the systems used by the UAS team are now five years old and will need to be replaced, as there have been technological upgrades with newer models.
The Police Department requests the commitment of $15,000 to pay for the purchase of additional equipment, training, and maintenance of our existing UAS inventory.
Safety Equipment
The Police Department issues ballistic helmets and patrol rifles to each police officer. The Police Department is requesting the purchase of five ballistic helmets and two patrol rifles as reserve equipment in case equipment requires replacement. This is part of the department’s ongoing commitment to officer safety and community protection. These tools are essential for equipping officers to respond effectively to high-risk situations such as active shooter events, barricaded suspects, and other critical incidents. Ballistic helmets provide vital head protection, significantly reducing the risk of serious injury, while patrol rifles offer greater accuracy and range than standard sidearms, enhancing officers’ ability to neutralize threats from a safer distance.
The Police Department requests the commitment of $10,000 to pay for the purchase of additional helmets and rifles.
Emergency Medical Equipment
The Police Department has maintained automated external defibrillators (AED’s) in patrol vehicles as part of its ongoing commitment to public safety and emergency medical response. Officers are often the first on scene during medical emergency calls. These devices have assisted officers in providing critical care before emergency medical services (EMS) arrive. Current AED devices are aging, as many are over eight years old. Some of the AED devices are no longer supported by manufacturers in terms of replacement parts and can be difficult to maintain. The Police Department is requesting the purchase of six new AED devices to replace the current AED devices.
New AED devices offer improved diagnostic features, easier operation under stress and better integration with other emergency services (e.g., data transfer).
The Police Department requests the commitment of $20,000 to pay for the purchase of new AED devices.
FISCAL IMPACT
No general fund fiscal impact is anticipated. By statute, funds from SLESA may not be combined with general fund accounts. The use and administration of SLESA grant funds require minimal staff time to manage. The Finance Department has confirmed funds exist in the SLESA account to cover all recommended expenditures.
PUBLIC CONTACT
Public Contact was made through posting of the City Council agenda on the City’s official notice bulletin board, at the Pleasant Hill Senior Center, and at the Pleasant Hill Police Department. The agenda and staff report are posted on the City’s web page.
RECOMMENDED CITY COUNCIL ACTION
Staff recommends that the City Council adopt the proposed resolution accepting the grant and the proposed use of funds.
ALTERNATIVES TO RECOMMENDED ACTION
Council could direct staff to not accept the grant, or revise the list of recommended items.
ATTACHMENT(S)
Proposed Resolution
Prepared by: Jason Kleven, Support Services Division Lieutenant Approved by: Scott Vermillion, Chief of Police