HomeMy WebLinkAbout14472RESOLUTION NO. 14472
A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE CITY OF PUEBLO TO
SUBMIT A GRANT APPLICATION TO THE COLORADO
DEPARTMENT OF LOCAL AFFAIRS PEACE OFFICERS
MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT PROGRAM TO ASSIST IN
FUNDING EFFORTS RELATED TO THE IMPROVEMENT OF
THE MENTAL HEALTH OF OFFICERS WITH THE PUEBLO
POLICE DEPARTMENT
WHEREAS, City Council supports and authorizes the City of Pueblo to submit a grant
application for the Peace Officer Mental Health and Support Program for the purposes of
improving the mental health of officers with the Pueblo Police Department; NOW,
THEREFORE,
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF PUEBLO, that:
SECTION 1.
The Mayor is hereby authorized to execute and deliver an application to the State of
Colorado for funding assistance from the Department of Local Affairs Peace Officer Mental
Health Support Program to improve the mental health of officers with the Pueblo Police
Department.
SECTION 2.
A copy of the grant application will be on file at the City of Pueblo’s Police Department.
SECTION 3.
The officers and staff of the City are authorized and directed to perform any and all
acts consistent with the intent of this Resolution to effectuate the policies and procedures
described therein.
SECTION 4.
This Resolution shall become effective immediately upon final passage.
INTRODUCED September 14, 2020
BY: Ed Brown
MEMBER OF CITY COUNCIL
APPROVED:
PRESIDENT OF CITY COUNCIL
ATTESTED BY:
CITY CLERK
City Clerk’s Office Item # M-5
Background Paper for Proposed
Resolution
COUNCIL MEETING DATE: September 14, 2020
TO: President Dennis E. Flores and Members of City Council
CC: Nicholas A. Gradisar, Mayor
VIA: Brenda Armijo, City Clerk
FROM: Troy D. Davenport, Chief of Police
SUBJECT: A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE CITY OF PUEBLO TO SUBMIT A
GRANT APPLICATION TO THE COLORADO DEPARTMENT OF LOCAL
AFFAIRS PEACE OFFICERS MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT PROGRAM
TO ASSIST IN FUNDING EFFORTS RELATED TO THE IMPROVEMENT
OF THE MENTAL HEALTH OF OFFICERS WITH THE PUEBLO POLICE
DEPARTMENT
SUMMARY:
This Resolution approves an application for the Peace Officers Mental Health Support
(POMH) grant program. The purpose of this program is to provide financial assistance
grants, annually, to local law enforcement agencies to provide supervision of a peer
support team, to develop policies and SOPs for peer support and other mental health
services, to deliver comprehensive behavioral health training to the academy recruits, and
to establish the relationship between the department and the licensed mental health
provider.
PREVIOUS COUNCIL ACTION:
On September 26, 2019 City Council approved Ordinance No. 9553 which accepted and
approved funds for the 2019 POMH Grant.
BACKGROUND:
The Peace Officers Mental Health Support grant program within the Department of Local
Affairs (DOLA) is available for local law enforcement agencies to engage mental health
professionals who can provide: On-scene response services to support peace officers’
handling of persons with mental health disorders; and counseling services to peace
officers.
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS:
This grant will require monitoring, auditing, and submission of financial documents which
will impact the City with staffing costs. This grant will improve the mental health of Officers
with the Pueblo Police Department by hiring Dr. Judith Long for 216 hours of training and
services. The first step will be to train our Peer Support Team (approx. 20 Officers) so
they can support any officer that reaches out to them. Dr. Long will provide a clinical
oversight and quarterly training to the team. Dr. Long will provide counseling for Critical
Incident Responses. All department members will receive annual training in wellness and
resiliency topics. Training and resources through this grant will be used exclusively for
the 224 sworn law enforcement at the Pueblo Police Department.
Matching funds from the City are not required for this grant.
BOARD/COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION:
None.
STAKEHOLDER PROCESS:
The Pueblo Police Department supports the award and appropriation of the funds to
establish additional mental health support for its officers.
ALTERNATIVES:
Denial of this Resolution will result in the Pueblo Police Department not being able to
continue the program and further its development.
RECOMMENDATION:
Approval of the Resolution.
Attachments: Application