SUBJECT:
Action regarding Interlocal Agreement Between the Cities of Azle, Lake Worth, Saginaw, White Settlement, Pelican Bay, and Reno; and My Health My Resources of Tarrant County--Northwest Tarrant County Crisis Intervention Team
BACKGROUND/DISCUSSION:
The cities of Azle, Lake Worth, Saginaw, White Settlement, Pelican Bay, Reno, and My Health My Resources of Tarrant County are committed to creating a team to reduce the hazards associated with interactions between law enforcement and people suffering with mental illness as well as proactively engaging mental health individuals who pose a threat to the community.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
There will be some training impacts. The department will need to dedicate at least one officer to serve on the NWTC CIT team who will be certified as a mental health peace officer and will also be training in hostage negotiations.
We already send the majority of our folks to the mental health peace officer course, and we have 5 within the department who are hostage negotiators, so this training will have a minimum impact.
Our goal is to proactively engage and build rapport with individuals suffering a mental health crises who pose a threat to the community and respond to high risk suicidal/homicidal person calls for service with a goal of bringing the call to a peaceful resolution.
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends approving the interlocal agreement. |