Title
Consider a memorandum/resolution to award RFQ 24-20, Police Department Mental Health Clinician to A & L Solutions, in an amount of $275,000.
Body
DATE: February 20, 2024
TO: Kent Cagle, City Manager
FROM: Pedro Lopez, Chief of Police
SUBJECT: Police Mental Health Services Contract
BACKGROUND AND FINDINGS:
Repeated exposure to traumatic events while on-duty has been proven to have a negative effect on the mental health of police officers throughout the nation. This cumulative exposure can affect officers' mental and physical health, contributing to problems such as post-traumatic stress symptoms, substance misuse, depression, and suicidal ideation. First responders, including police officers, are 1.39 times more likely to die by suicide than the public according to a recent study released by the CDC in 2021, with police officer suicides totaling over 200 in recent years.
The Killeen Police Department recognized this issue and implemented a Peer Support Team to address it. Many studies showed that the first line of defense against suicide was having a peer that could listen to a members' struggles while being guaranteed total confidentiality. Members of the Department received training as part of a joint effort with the Killeen Fire Department as well as from other sources. After completing the training, members have the necessary knowledge and skills to provide support to their peers, have a basic understanding of common behavioral health issues affecting police officers, can serve as a bridge to community resources or behavioral health treatment when indicated, and are able to build or enhance their peer support programs. However, the team has recognized that the peer support program alone is not a complete solution. Some officers that have made contact with a peer support team member and needed more assistance resulting in their recommendation to make an appointment with a mental health professional was made by the team member. The ...
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