Submitted by: Acting Chief Scott Dunklee
Submitting Department: Police Department
Agenda Section: Presentation
Item Title:
title
Mental Health Program
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Suggested Action:
recommendation
Presentation Only
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Summary Background:
The City has adopted the report on The President's Task Force on 21st Century Policing. The 6th pillar in the report relates to Officer Safety and Wellness. This pillar realizes that for a police department to function well, we must recognize that officers' judgment and behavior are adversely affected by poor physical or psychological health. This is a beginning that will help us focus on mental health internally and support our external customers in the Hyattsville Community. The program then expands to a larger mental health response in the community. Grants, outside funding, and finding no-cost training courses will be an integral part of these programs.
The City of Hyattsville Police Department (HCPD) currently operates with annual, mandatory, in-service training for all officers. Content varies each year to maintain competencies but includes annual firearms review and de-escalation training. This proposed program adds mandatory and optional training and educational programming that specifically address mental health, self-care, and crisis response techniques.
The goal is to give every HCPD officer and dispatcher additional tools to best respond to individuals in emotional or psychological distress. This program proposal also provides opportunities for all HCPD employees to explore mental wellness techniques. The program calendar, which begins this spring, is designed to provide officers and dispatchers with useful information and training they can begin to use now.
Next Steps:
Programs under consideration
• Required quarterly mental wellness check-ins for all officers and dispatchers
• Optional, twice-weekly meditation and wellness sessions
• Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) training for two (2) officers (40 Hours)
• Required one-day educational and training program for all officers and dispatchers
• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD training)
• Suicide Prevention discussion
• Resiliency and Mental Wellness for First Responders presentation
• Emotional Survival Series recorded webinars
• Re-introduction to meditation and mental wellness
• Introduction to quarterly Mental Wellness Check-ins Program
• Required one-week (40 hours) for two (2) officers
• Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) training
• Mental Wellness Event: HCPD and City
• New and refresher training courses
• Conferences, webinars, and education programs
The Department's commitment to increasing officers' and dispatchers' understanding of mental illness, mental wellness, as well as fulfilling a need for additional crisis response support is reflected in its participation in the International Association of Chiefs of Police One Mind Campaign <https://www.theiacp.org/projects/one-mind-campaign> pledged to partner with the community and mental health organizations to ensure successful interactions between law enforcement and people in crisis and with mental health issues or disorders.
This mental health program takes a significant step toward accomplishing our One Mind Campaign goal. It also identifies us as a leader in the law enforcement community. It positions us for collaborative efforts with Prince George's County Police Department and any pilot programs the Prince George's County Executive's Office may want to fund. Implementing this program will demonstrate to the citizens of Hyattsville that both the Department and the City's leaders are answering the call to support the residents' mental health and the first responders who work to keep them safe.
Fiscal Impact:
TBD
City Administrator Comments:
For presentation.
Community Engagement:
N/A
Strategic Goals:
Goal 3 - Promote a Safe and Vibrant Community
Legal Review Required?
N/A