Grand Jury Grand Jury Response from Watsonville Police Department 1 message

The 24-hour Crisis Intervention Training course has given law enforcement responders additional tools for dealing with people in crisis, resulting in less use of force. √ AGREE PARTIALLY DISAGREE – explain the disputed portion DISAGREE – explain why Response explanation (required for a response other than Agree): Response Requested by July 16, 2018 Mental Health Crisis City of Watsonville Chief of Police

Adding more mental health liaisons and increasing their hours of availability would increase the benefit of this program to law enforcement and people in crisis. √ AGREE PARTIALLY DISAGREE – explain the disputed portion DISAGREE – explain why Response explanation (required for a response other than Agree): Response Requested by July 16, 2018 Mental Health Crisis City of Watsonville Chief of Police

Having law enforcement be the primary responder to non-threatening 9-1-1 EDP calls reduces the overall availability of law enforcement to the community. √ AGREE PARTIALLY DISAGREE – explain the disputed portion DISAGREE – explain why Response explanation (required for a response other than Agree): Response Requested by July 16, 2018 Mental Health Crisis City of Watsonville Chief of Police

The Mobile Emergency Response Team (MERT) is not accessible through 9-1-1, resulting in overuse of law enforcement. AGREE √ PARTIALLY DISAGREE – explain the disputed portion DISAGREE – explain why Response explanation (required for a response other than Agree): Although MERT is not accessible through our 9-1-1 system, it may or may not result in an overuse of law enforcement. When a call for service is received and dispatched there are numerous questions that are asked to assess the risk involved for any first responder, but there are many factors that may affect the caller’s response and perception of the event. It is difficult to determine the level of threat or imminent threat to life until someone who is trained arrives on the scene to evaluate. So, from a safety perspective an officer will most likely be dispatched to a call with MERT until the threat level has been determined, not changing or lessening the use of law enforcement. Response Requested by July 16, 2018 Mental Health Crisis City of Watsonville Chief of Police