CITY OF POMONA
COUNCIL REPORT
September 11, 2023
To: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
From: James Makshanoff, City Manager
Submitted By: Michael Ellis, Chief of Police
SUBJECT: AUTHORIZE THE APPROPRIATION OF FISCAL YEAR (FY) 2022 LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCY DE-ESCALATION GRANT RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the City Council take the following actions:
1) Adopt the following resolution (Attachment No.1):
RESOLUTION NO. 2023-157 – A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF POMONA, CALIFORNIA APPROPRIATING FISCAL YEAR (FY) 2022 LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCY DE-ESCALATION GRANT AND AMENDING THE FY 2023-24 OPERATING BUDGET TO INCREASE REVENUE ESTIMATES AND APPROPRIATIONS BY $181,260 2) Authorize the City Manager, or designee, to execute any and all agreements on behalf of the City, in substantially the form submitted, subject to review and approval as to form by the City Attorney.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
The police department has been awarded the FY 2022 Law Enforcement Agency De-Escalation Grant from the Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) in the amount of $181,260. These funds will be used to provide training opportunities and improve equipment to ensure our officers receive the necessary skills to de-escalate contacts with subjects to reduce the chances of using physical force.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The fiscal impact is neutral due to an increase in revenue estimates of $181,260 (215-2090-40875- 58774) and a corresponding appropriation of $181,260 (215-2090-5XXXX-58774).
PREVIOUS RELATED ACTION:
On March 23, 2023, City Council authorized the acceptance of this grant.
DISCUSSION:
The Police Department has been awarded a two-year grant for De-Escalation Training totaling $181,260. This grant period begins September 1, 2022, and operates through August 31, 2024 (Attachment No. 2). The Police Department recognizes that the authority to use force conferred on peace officers is a serious responsibility that shall be exercised judiciously and with respect for human rights and dignity for the sanctity of every life. Although some situations will require physical force, the Department supports and intends to continue training and promoting its officers to de-escalate situations whenever possible. To implement this strategy, the Department will utilize grant funds to obtain technology-based scenario-driven virtual training equipment, including any training or equipment associated with crisis intervention techniques, procedural justice, implicit bias, and managing critical incident scenes and mobile field-force training with an emphasis on practical de-escalation techniques.
The goal of this strategic approach is to produce a systematic process and provide techniques that will train and better equip Pomona Officers to evaluate contact with citizens in a heightened state of mind carefully and thoroughly and in a manner that reflects the gravity of their authority and the responsibility of deciding when to use force.
COUNCIL PRIORITIES & GOALS:
This item supports the 2021-2022 City Council Priority 1: Fiscal and Operational Responsibility – Goal B: Improve efficiency and effectiveness of City services to businesses and residents.
Prepared by:
_____________________________
Claudia Huerta
Administrative Service Manager
ATTACHMENT(S):
Attachment No. 1 - Resolution No. 2023-157
Attachment No. 2 - Grant Agreement
Acceptance of FY 2022 Law Enforcement Agency De-Escalation Grant