Police Department
www.santa-ana.org/police
Item # 23
City of Santa Ana
20 Civic Center Plaza, Santa Ana, CA 92701
Staff Report
December 19, 2023
TOPIC: Agreement with Forensic Nurse Specialists, Inc.
AGENDA TITLE
Approve an Agreement with Forensic Nurse Specialists, Inc. for Sexual Assault Victim Exams and Evidence Collection Services (General Fund)
RECOMMENDED ACTION
Authorize the City Manager to execute a five-year agreement with Forensic Nurse Specialists, Inc. for the period of December 19, 2023 through August 31, 2028, to provide sexual assault victim examinations and evidence collection services for the Santa Ana Police Department in an amount not to exceed $350,000, subject to non- substantive changes approved by the City Manager and City Attorney (Agreement No. 2023-XXX).
GOVERNMENT CODE §84308 APPLIES: Yes
DISCUSSION
The Santa Ana Police Department’s Special Crimes Section investigates sexual assaults against adult victims. A critical component of these investigations is the forensic examination a victim undergoes to gather evidence of the assault and provide the victim with healthcare services. The Santa Ana Police Department has contracted with Forensic Nurse Specialists, Inc. (FNS) since January 2000 for these services. FNS is the sole source provider for these services in Orange County, and no specific registries utilize forensic nurses solely for exams.
FNS nurses have training and expertise in forensic examinations and are competent in the California State protocol established by Cal OES (California Office of Emergency Services). FNS provides their services 24 hours a day, seven days a week. FNS collects evidence during the examination and packages, labels, and seals it according to the state and local Orange County Crime Lab requirements. FNS nurses are expert witnesses and testify in court upon receipt of a subpoena by the District Attorney’s Office.
Agreement with Forensic Nurse Specialists, Inc.
December 19, 2023
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The costs for the services under this contract are $1,200 per sexual assault forensic exam, $1,400 for a mobile trauma exam, $300 for a dry run, $600 for a domestic violence strangulation exam, and $500 a day for court testimony. The prior agreement with FNS expired on August 31, 2023. This new agreement for the five-year term is for an amount not to exceed $350,000 and includes services provided since September 1, 2023 to be compensated under this agreement.
FISCAL IMPACT
Funding is available in the FY 2023-24 budget and funding for subsequent fiscal years will be included in the proposed budgets for City Council consideration as follows:
Fiscal
Year
Accounting Unit –
Account No.
Fund
Description
Accounting Unit –
Account No. Description Amount
FY 23-24 01114435-62300 General
Fund
Criminal Investigations,
Contract Services-
Professional
$ 50,000
FY 24-25 01114435-62300 General
Fund
Criminal Investigations,
Contract Services-
Professional
$ 70,000
FY 25-26 01114435-62300 General
Fund
Criminal Investigations,
Contract Services-
Professional
$ 70,000
FY 26-27 01114435-62300 General
Fund
Criminal Investigations,
Contract Services-
Professional
$ 70,000
FY 27-28 01114435-62300 General
Fund
Criminal Investigations,
Contract Services-
Professional
$ 70,000
FY 28-29 01114435-62300 General
Fund
Criminal Investigations,
Contract Services-
Professional
$ 20,000
Total $350,000
The amounts above are estimates and subject to change.
EXHIBIT(S)
1. Agreement with Forensic Nurse Specialists, Inc.
Submitted By: Robert Rodriguez, Acting Police Chief
Approved By: Tom Hatch, Interim City Manager