Title
Retroactive Authorization to Apply for the Fiscal Year 2025 Safer Outcomes: Enhancing De-Escalation and Crisis Response Training for Law Enforcement Grant (Ordinance S-52221) - Citywide
Description
Request to authorize the City Manager, or his designee, to allow the Police Department to retroactively apply for, accept, and enter into an agreement with the Office of Community Oriented Policing Services for the Fiscal Year 2025 Safer Outcomes: Enhancing De-Escalation and Crisis Response Training for Law Enforcement grant. The grant amount will not exceed $500,000. No matching funds are required. Further request authorization for the City Treasurer to accept, and the City Controller to disburse, all funds related to this item.
Report
Summary
The Safer Outcomes grant program will expand access to quality training on de-escalation and crisis response strategies for law enforcement officers, support personnel employed by law enforcement agencies, and associated mental health professionals. This program provides funding to law enforcement agencies to promote safe outcomes during police encounters with persons in crisis through relevant training.
The Police Department will use this grant to enhance their training programs for de-escalation tactics and alternatives to use of force. The initiative supports numerous patrol-based less lethal operators and broader staff through increased, technology-driven training efficiency. The Police Department will purchase immersive training modules, a firearms training system and verbal engagement trainer, offering immersive scenarios for practicing de-escalation tactics. The grant will help fund additional instructors to maximize existing virtual training tools, aiming to reduce force incidents and strengthen community relations. By strategically leveraging technology and specialized training tools, the Police Department aims to improve the efficiency, effectiveness, and frequency of de-escalation and use-of-force training, ultimately leading to a reduction in force applications and fostering stronger, more positive relationships within the community with this project.
The grant application was due by June 30, 2025. If authorization is denied, the grant application will be rescinded.
Contract Term
The term of the contract will be for three years beginning October 1, 2025, through September 30, 2028.
Financial Impact
No matching funds are required.
Department
Responsible Department
This item is submitted by Assistant City Manager Lori Bays and the Police Department.