DATE: JUNE 11, 2024
DEPARTMENT: SALINAS POLICE DEPARTMENT
FROM: JOHN C. MURRAY, ACTING CHIEF OF POLICE
TITLE: RESPONSE TO 2023-2024 MONTEREY COUNTY CIVIL GRAND JURY FINAL REPORT RECOMMENDED MOTION:
A motion to authorize the Mayor to sign the attached letter responding to the findings and the recommendations in the 2023-2024 Monterey County Civil Grand Jury Final Report regarding “Monterey County’s Response to Community Members Experiencing a Mental Health Crisis.” RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the City Council authorize the Mayor to sign the attached letter responding to the findings and the recommendations in the 2023-2024 Monterey County Civil Grand Jury Final Report.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
On April 5, 2024, the Monterey County Civil Grand Jury (“Grand Jury”) issued its Final Report titled “Monterey County’s Response to Community Members Experiencing a Mental Health Crisis.” The Grand Jury found that a lack of training, collaboration, and public engagement among local agencies may lead to dangerous outcomes for peace officers and community members with mental health challenges. The Final Report recommends crisis intervention training for peace officers, better coordination of agencies in Monterey County on mental health issues and posting of policies on agency websites.
DISCUSSION:
The Salinas Police Department continues to support strategies to protect public safety and deescalate situations involving mental health crises. Crisis intervention training (CIT) has been provided for some time. Currently, 90% of Salinas Police Officers are CIT trained. The remaining 10% are scheduled to attend training.
For many years, the Department has collaborated with other local agencies on the issue of mental health. A Police Commander is assigned as the liaison with the Monterey County Behavioral Health Department and regularly communicates with local agencies serving community members experiencing a mental health crisis.
The Department supports transparency in government and posts its Policy Manual and use of force policy on its website. In addition, as recommended, an annual training needs assessment and plan will be implemented and posted by the end of the fiscal year.
California Penal Code section 933(c) requires the City Council to respond to the Grand Jury’s Final Report within ninety days from submittal of the Final Report.
A draft letter responding to each of the items identified by the Grand Jury is attached to this Staff Report.
POLICE COMMUNITY ADVISORY COMMITTEE
The Acting Police Chief will present on the Grand Jury response to Police Community Advisory Committee (PCAC) at the June 26, 2024 meeting. The Committee will have an opportunity to ask questions and provide comments or concerns.
CEQA CONSIDERATION:
The proposed action is not a project as defined by the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) (CEQA Guidelines Section 15378).
STRATEGIC PLAN INITIATIVE:
This item meets the City Council’s current Strategic Plan initiatives of Public Safety and Effective and Culturally Responsible Government.
FISCAL AND SUSTAINABILITY IMPACT:
There is no fiscal impact anticipated with the City Council’s consideration of this item.
ATTACHMENTS:
2023-2024 Civil Grand Jury Final Report
Draft Response Letter to the Honorable Judge Stephanie Hulsey Page | 3
Page | 1
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