TO: HONORABLE MAYOR FROM: Jennifer Schembri
AND CITY COUNCIL
SUBJECT: SEE BELOW DATE: February 6, 2023
Approved Date
2/9/23
SUBJECT: PREVENTION, AWARENESS, AND WELLNESS SUPPORT PROGRAM
FOR COMMUNICATIONS DIVISION IN SAN JOSE POLICE
DEPARTMENT
RECOMMENDATION
Adopt a resolution to approve the terms of a Side Letter Agreement between the City of San José and the San José Police Dispatchers’ Association for the implementation of the Prevention, Awareness, and Wellness Support Program in the San José Police Department’s Communications Division effective as soon as practicable.
SUMMARY AND OUTCOME
Adoption of the resolution approves a Side Letter Agreement to implement the Prevention, Awareness, and Wellness Support Program (PAWS Program) in the San José Police Department’s Communication Division and provide a premium pay for employees assigned as a therapy dog handler in the PAWS Program equivalent to two and one-half percent of the employee’s current rate of pay.
BACKGROUND
Call-takers and dispatchers are often exposed to traumatic calls while working in a high-pressure environment with little downtime between events and working with challenging callers.
Research suggests that the sheer presence of therapy dogs improves certain behavioral outcomes.
In addition, therapy dog interventions have been found to be effective in reducing symptoms of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and stress reduction in a variety of contexts. Because of therapy dogs’ ability to help clients regulate emotional states and engage in meaningful interactions, there is a growing trend with police departments nationwide to incorporate therapy dogs into their mental health programs. The implementation of the PAWS Program in the San José Police Department’s Communication Division through Operation Freedom Paws will allow therapy COUNCIL AGENDA: 2/28/23
FILE: 23-258
ITEM: 2.8
HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
February 6, 2023
Subject: Prevention, Awareness, and Wellness Support Program (PAWS Program)
dogs to provide support for dispatchers and call takers and further enhance the City’s mental health and wellness efforts.
On January 20, 2023, the City and San José Police Dispatchers’ Association reached a Side Letter Agreement for the implementation of the PAWS Program. Upon the implementation and start of the PAWS Program, employees assigned as a therapy dog handler will be eligible to receive a premium pay equivalent to two and one-half percent of the employee’s current rate of pay in recognition of the duties and responsibilities of the PAWS Program handler assignment, including the care and maintenance of the therapy dog while on and off duty.
ANALYSIS
Adoption of the Administration’s recommendation would result in the implementation the Side Letter Agreement between the City and San José Police Dispatchers’ Association (Attachment).
As provided for in the Side Letter Agreement, the parties agreed to the following:
• A therapy dog will be assigned to a single handler in the Communications Division. • A set number of alternate handlers will be identified to assist with the PAWS P rogram as deemed necessary by San José Police Department.
• Interested dispatchers or c ommunications specialists will undergo a selection process as determined by San José Police Department.
• The primary handler will be responsible for the regular training, care, grooming, feeding, and maintenance of the dog.
• The primary handler and any identified alternate handlers will complete all required training as determined by Operation Freedom Paws and/or San José Police Department. • The therapy dog will accompany the assigned handler to work during their regularly scheduled shift and overtime assignments.
• Any use of the therapy dog outside of the assigned handler’s regularly scheduled shift and overtime assignments will be at the discretion of the Chief of Police, Communications Division Director, or their designee.
In recognition of the duties and responsibilities of the PAWS Program handler assignment, including the care and maintenance of the therapy dog while on and off duty, the primary handler assigned to the therapy dog will be eligible for a premium pay equal to approximately two and one-half percent of the employee’s current rate of pay. Employees will not be paid for any biweekly period or portion thereof where they are not assigned to a therapy dog as the primary handler. Alternate handlers who are assigned to the dog while the primary handler is unavailable shall be eligible for additional pay equal to approximately two and one-half percent of the employee’s current rate of pay for the duration of the assignment.
There is no initial purchase cost for the dog and no cost for the training and the dog will belong to the City. Operation Freedom Paws will pair a handler with an animal it received through donation or shelter rescue. The pairing is based on interviews with the handler, the dog’s
HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
February 6, 2023
Subject: Prevention, Awareness, and Wellness Support Program (PAWS Program)
demeanor and characteristics, and the desired outcome from training. San José Police Department will utilize open purchase orders for any veterinary services, food, and supply expenses.
EVALUATION AND FOLLOW-UP
No further follow-up with the City Council related to this action is anticipated at this time.
COST SUMMARY/IMPLICATIONS
There is no cost for a therapy dog through the Operation Freedom Paws. The estimated annual cost for the veterinary expenses, food, and supplies is $3,000 for the first year and approximately $2,200 annually thereafter. The estimated cost of the premium pay provided to the primary handler or alternate handler in the primary handler’s absence is estimated to be $4,000 annually.
These costs will be absorbed within the San José Police Department’s existing budget.
COORDINATION
This memorandum was coordinated with the San José Police Department, City Manager’s Budget Office, and the City Attorney’s Office.
PUBLIC OUTREACH
This memorandum will be posted on the City’s Council Agenda website for the February 28, 2023 City Council meeting.
COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION AND INPUT
No commission recommendation or input is associated with this action.
CEQA
Not a Project, File No. PP17 008, General Procedure & Policy Making resulting in no changes to the physical environment.
HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
February 6, 2023
Subject: Prevention, Awareness, and Wellness Support Program (PAWS Program)
PUBLIC SUBSIDY REPORTING
This item does not include a public subsidy as defined in section 53083 or 53083.1 of the California Government Code or the City’s Open Government Resolution.
JENNIFER SCHEMBRI
Director, Office of Employee Relations
Director, Human Resources Department
The principal author of this memorandum is Elsa Cordova, Assistant to the City Manager. For questions, please contact [email protected] or (408) 535-8159.
ATTACHMENT
Side Letter Agreement between the City Of San José and the San José Police Dispatchers’ Association: Prevention, Awareness, And Wellness Support Program
SIDE LETTER AGREEMENT
BETWEEN
THE CITY OF SAN JOSE
AND
THE SAN JOSE POLICE DISPATCHERS’ ASSOCIATION
Prevention, Awareness, and Wellness Support Program (PAWS) The City of San Jose (City) and the San Jose Police Dispatchers’ Association (SJPDA) hereby agree that effective as soon as practi cable, the PAWS program will imp lemented in the Co mmunications Division of the San Jose Police Department (SJPD). As part of the program the parties agree to the following:
• A therapy dog will be assigned to a single handler in the Communications Division. • A set number of alternate handlers will be identified to assist with the PAWS program as deemed necessary by SJPD.
• Interested Dispatchers or Communications Specialists will undergo a selection process as determined by SJPD.
• The primary handler will be responsibl e for the regular training, care, grooming, feeding, and maintenance of the dog.
• The primary handler and any identified alternate handle rs will complete all r equired training as determined by Operation Freedom Paws (OFP) and/or SJPD. • The therapy dog will accompany th e assigned handler to work on their regularly scheduled shift and overtime assignments.
• Any us e of the therapy dog out side of th e assigned handler’s regularly s cheduled shift and overtime assignments will be at the discretion of the Chief of Police, Communications Division Director or their designee.
In recognition of the du ties and responsib ilities of the P AWS handler assignment, including the care and maintenance of the therapy dog while on or off duty, effective as soon as practicable but no sooner than the first full pay period of the start of the PAWS Program, the primary handler assigned to the therapy dog shall be eligible for additional pay equal to approximately two and one -half percent (2.5%) of the employee’s current rate of pay . Such additional compensation shall not be pa id for a ny biweekly period or portion thereof where the therapy dog is not assigned to the primary handler.
Alternate handlers who are assigned to the dog while the primary handler is unavailable shall be eligible for additi onal pay equal to approximately two and one -half percent (2.5%) of the employee’s current rate of pay for the duration of the assignment.
The terms o f this Agreement shall become effective when signed by all parties below and approved by the City Council in open session and shall be incorporated into the current or successor MOA between the City and the SJPDA.
FOR THE CITY: FOR THE UNION:
Jennifer Schembri Date Mary Tomlinson Date
Director of Employee Relations
Director of Human Resources
President, SJPDA
Paul Joseph Date
Assistant Chief of Police
1/23/2022
Attachment