Item B: Police Commission Annual Report and Work Plan

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However, commissioners asserted that the reports were very beneficial in providing a window into department activities. As in past years, the Police Commission reviewed the proposed Police Department FY09 budget and reviewed the City Manager’s budget request. This budget review was of particular importance because of the budget crisis Lane County was experiencing, especially in regard to the overall public safety system. The commission did not offer specific recommendations in the budget process; however, with the ongoing work on the Long-Range Staffing Plan project, possible FY10 budget recommendations may result next year. Also, a new emphasis on sustainability began this year by going paperless with the meeting packet materials. The Police Commission web page contains all the documents for each meeting, including all committees and work sessions. This conservation effort was very well- received and has reduced the amount of paper and monetary costs associated with providing materials to the commission and the community, as well as increased the availability of materials to the general public. B. Mental Health Crisis Response Committee and Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) Most noteworthy during FY08 was the Mental Health Crisis Response Committee’s completion of an extensive review of the use of a Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) training model. Several CIT programs from across the country were examined and discussed at length. The committee conducted a literature review to learn about current services, constraints and critical gaps serving those with mental illness in Eugene. In addition, the committee met with several community members who experience mental illness to help understand the mental health system needs from a consumer’s point of view. As a result of the dialogue established through the committee’s review, a lasting commitment by local community members was established to ensure success in the program. A preliminary report was drafted by the Mental Health Crisis Response Committee in October 2007 that focused on the feasibility of implementing a similar CIT model in the Eugene Police Department. The committee then discussed what further recommendations and next steps the EPD should take to implement such a model, and incorporated this into a final report. This final report was adopted by the Police Commission at the November 8, 2007, full Police Commission meeting. The report proposes the following next steps for the Eugene Police Department to take in implementing a CIT training program: ?Continue outreach to community mental health agencies and advocates willing to assist in CIT implementation. ?Assist in the creation of an EPD policy with respect to a CIT training program. ?Facilitate conversations between Chief Lehner and community partners on collaborative policy implementation (i.e. Al Levine from Lane County Mental Health). ?Provide a venue for ongoing dialogue between the commission/community and the department on progress made on the implementation of CIT, including timeline, leadership, state and local training, barriers and/or challenges faced. ?Explore financial support for a CIT training program. Page 4 of 7 2008 Police Commission Annual Report