Trus H Citrus Heights Police Department Christopher W. Boyd Chief of Police August 23, 2016 Honorable Kevin R. Culhane,*

Some law enforcement agencies in Sacramento County fail to use innovative domestic violence intervention best practices. These evidence-based practices demonstrate measurable results that have a positive impact on families, law enforcement and the community. These practices include: Leadership at the executive level that prioritizes domestic violence Countywide Domestic Violence Response Teams (DVRT) and active partnerships with domestic violence victim advocates. Specialized domestic violence training for patrol officers, first responders, and domestic violence investigators Use of field-based lethality risk assessment tool by patrol officers and first responders Data collection and tracking system Response to Finding 1: Agreed The Citrus Heights Police Department's (CHPD) Executive Staff has an unwavering commitment to the issues associated with domestic violence. This priority is demonstrated in our level of domestic violence training, investigation, follow-up, and community partnerships with local advocacy groups. This dedication was highlighted when CHPD won the prestigious 2012 James Q. Wilson Award for "Community Based Domestic Violence Intervention." CHPD's submission for the award showcased the collaboration with grassroots community groups to impact and reduce domestic violence in Citrus Heights. These partnerships helped develop the "Harmony House", which is a non-profit women and children's shelter that serves victims in Citrus Heights and referrals from outside areas. Continued collaboration with advocacy groups created an innovative model of Jeannie Bruins, Mayor • Jeff Slowey, Vice Mayor Suc Frost, Council Member • Steve Miller, Council Member • Melvin Turner, Council Member Henry Tingle, City Manager • Ruthann Ziegler, City Attorney 6315 Fountain Square Drive • Citrus Heights, CA 95621-5577 • (916) 727-5500 • Fax (916) 727-4974 www.citrusheightspd.net victim outreach known as the Domestic Violence Response Team (DVRT), which placed a trained victim advocate with officers in the patrol car. Victims are contacted by an advocate at the scene of the incident. This unique partnership is one of mutual respect, benefit, and desire to be effective in breaking the cycle of violence with families in Citrus Heights. The Wilson award judging was based on several factors: problem solving, partnership with the community, partnership with public and private organizations, the extent of community policing, and results. CHPD has an active partnership with A Community For Peace (ACFP) – a local advocacy group, and continues to utilize the DVRT partnering victim advocates and police officers in the field. This partnership places DVRT members on the frontline providing immediate resources to victims of domestic violence. CHPD conducts frequent department wide training for staff which is instructed by police department experts, advocacy experts, the District Attorney's (DA) office prosecutors, and includes field-based lethality risk assessment tools as well as data related to domestic violence incidents. This training is also included in the field training program for new officers at CHPD.

Not all law enforcement departments in Sacramento County participate in active partnerships among police, prosecutors, victim advocates, social service agencies, and community organizations to reduce the incidence of domestic violence. Response to Finding: Disagree in Part The CHPD actively participates in partnerships with various community and government organizations. As previously mentioned, our partnerships include A Community For Peace, the Sacramento County District Attorney's office, and Child Protective Services in an effort to collaboratively reduce the incidences of domestic violence in our community. The CHPD is unable to articulate the manner in which other agencies within Sacramento County engage and collaborate with other community organizations.

Coordinated and accessible domestic violence services for victims and their families have been proven to be most effective. Response to Finding 3: Agreed The CHPD partnership with ACFP has allowed officers and victim advocates the ability to provide immediate resources that are accessible for victims of domestic violence via the DVRT program. These well trained first responders have the ability to provide crisis intervention, emotional support, and information about services during the initial call for service. Approximately 50 percent of domestic violence victims currently request follow-up services as opposed to 8 percent of victims followed up for services prior to the partnership.

The comprehensive and coordinated approaches to domestic violence found at both Citrus Heights Police Department and Elk Grove Police Department are model programs that protect victims and create safer communities. Response to Finding 4: Agreed The CHPD model emphasizes collaboration with various stakeholders in the community to provide immediate resources in the field, domestic violence training for officers, risk assessment tools, and successful prosecution of offenders. As previously mentioned, the success of this model was highlighted when our organization was awarded the 2012 James Q. Wilson award for our "Community Based Domestic Violence Intervention Program" and the dramatic increase in the amount domestic violence victims who are now receiving follow-up services.