Protecting Those Who Protect and Serve*

healthy coping techniques for themselves and their families. The City of Garden Grove agrees with this finding.

A written policy documenting each agency's Peer Support Program helps ensure the program's continuation after changes in staff. The City agrees with this finding. Garden Grove Police Department (GGPD) has had a Peer Support Team and written policy since 1997. Our current policy, Garden Grove Police Department General Order 2.23, last updated as of August 6, 2020 identifies a chain of command for the Peer Support Team. This chain of command consists of the Peer Support Team members, who report to a Peer Support Team supervisor. The supervisor is responsible for several duties, to include arranging training for team members, any United States Census 11222 Acacia Parkway • P.O.Box 3070 • Garden Grove, CA 92842 2020 ggcity.org BE COUNTED GARDEN GROVE administrative duties, and keeping the Administrative Services Bureau Commander apprised of any call-outs or utilization of the team.

The benefits in the peer support statute, effective January 1, 2020, are important to Peace Officers and Peer Support Team members. The City of Garden Grove agrees with this finding. All of GGPD's volunteer Peer Support Team members are sent to a Basic Peer Support training class prior to them responding to any personnel in need. The new statute helps to ensure confidentiality amongst Peer Support Team members and the employee in need. It is important that Peer Support Team members receive periodic

training. The City of Garden Grove agrees with this finding. Each GGPD Peer Support Team member is mandated to attend a Basic Peer Support class put on by a psychologist familiar with Peer Support. Each member is also requested to attend quarterly ongoing training put on by GGPD's retained departmental psychologist that covers various Peer Support related topics. Allocating a specific budget line item for Peer Support Programs help

ensure adequate training and continuation of the programs. The City of Garden Grove agrees with this finding. GGPD has established a specific budget for the Peer Support Team to assist with training and other administrative needs. The funds have been allocated toward contracts with professional service providers in the field and will continue to be allocated for the foreseeable future. If a Peer Support Team member is activated then his/her pay will be taken from their regular budget. Continuous communication to Peace Officers about the Peer Support

Programs is important to increase awareness and use of the Peer Support Program. The City of Garden Grove agrees with this finding. GGPD Peer Support Team members periodically go to the various units and briefings to talk with employees about the Peer Support Team and its function. The supervisors are reminded periodically about the Peer Support Team and when they might be needed during traumatic incidents. The Peer Support Team also has flyers available throughout the police department with documentation about the Peer Support Team as well as the names of the members. This flyer also contains various support organizations and their respective phone numbers, to include the phone numbers to the organizations that we contract with for psychological services.