CSS 2021-03-01 Item 1B - Discussion - Police Co-Responder Pilot Program

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City of Tukwila Allan Ekberg, Mayor INFORMATIONAL MEMORANDUM TO: Community Services and Safety Committee FROM: Interim Chief Eric Drever BY: Commander Dale Rock CC: Mayor Ekberg DATE: February 23, 2021 SUBJECT: City of Tukwila Co -Responder Program ISSUE The Police Department is seeking committee approval to implement a Sound Mental Health/ Tukwila Police Department, co -responder program using money that has already been budgeted by the Police Department through Federal Seizure funds. This will be a pilot program that runs until December 31.2021. The program will then be reevaluated for funding and continuation. BACKGROUND In accordance with the city's stated goals of a High -Performing & Effective Organization and a Positive Community Identity & Image for all Tukwila community members, the Police Department recognizes that there is a need for collaboration of services when it comes to mental health and chemical addiction issues within the City of Tukwila. Our objective is to reduce the number of mentally ill and chemically dependent interventions that requires jail and hospitalizations. The police department also recognizes the need for diversion of mentally ill and chemically dependent youth and adults from entering the Criminal Justice System. Co - responder programs throughout the nation have been effective in reducing the number of people entering the Criminal Justice System, while providing appropriate resources for their illness. The department needs to provide services that provide the appropriate high-quality services for our community members. DISCUSSION The Tukwila Police Department co -responder program is a collaborative approach designed to address the City of Tukwila's desire to ensure Tukwila's mentally ill and chemically dependent residents have access to community treatment in lieu of incarceration for non-violent misdemeanor offenses where the individual is identified by officers and confirmed by a mental health professional (MHP) to be demonstrating behaviors symptomatic of a mental disorder and/or co-occurring disorder (combining mental health behavioral disorders with substance use disorders). The program accomplishes this goal by: 1) embedding mental health professionals within the police department who respond to calls when officers ask for professional (consultive) assistance by the MHP's; 2) working with and educating officers in traditional methods employed by mental health professionals to de-escalate individuals demonstrating behavioral health concerns as well as assist in providing support to identify symptoms stemming from mental illness versus chemically altered behaviors; 3) ensure appropriate community services are accessed to facilitate diversion, including community after-care services are available to individuals diverted from incarceration. FINANCIAL IMPACT The Tukwila Police Department has budgeted $85,000 for one full time MHP. The Tukwila Police Department and Sound Mental Health have agreed that the cost of the MHP will exceed $85,000, Sound Mental Health has agreed to pay the difference in costs associated with the position. Federal Forfeiture Funds will be used, resulting in no impact to the general fund. This 9