On June 30, 2020, the Orange County Grand Jury released a 2019-2020 Grand Jury Report, Protecting Those Who Protect and Serve.  The purpose of the report is to understand how the Orange County cities and the county are implementing the requirements of Assembly Bill 1117, pertaining to Peace officers peer support.  Peer support services are available to listen, support, refer, and assist employees and family during difficult times in their personal and professional lives.  In compliance with Penal Code 933.05 (a) and (b), the City is required to provide a response to each of the findings and recommendations directed to the City Council by September 28, 2020.  Specifically, the City is to respond to five findings and three recommendations. 

The citizens of Orange County are protected by over 4,500 sworn law enforcement personnel from the Orange County Sheriff’s Department (OCSD) and law enforcement agencies from the twenty-one cities that have their own police departments.  Investigation into causation of stress for law enforcement personnel, the Grand Jury learned that the leading cause is public perception. 

Recognizing the impacts of stress on one’s physical and mental health, both federal and state legislation was enacted in 2019 to address law enforcement mental health.  In acknowledgement of the importance of peer support programs for Peace Officers, last year the California legislature unanimously passed Assembly Bill 1117.  The Grand Jury study was undertaken to determine whether law enforcement agencies within Orange County maintain programs to ensure the mental well being of its Peace Officers.

Based on its investigation entitled “Protecting Those Who Protect and Serve,” the 2019-2020 Orange County Grand Jury arrived at six principal findings that included items such as written policies, Peer Support Team member training, and allocating specific budget line items for Peer Support programs. 

The Grand Jury report also outlined four recommendations.  The Grand Jury recommended that (1) the four law enforcement agencies without a written policy on their Peer Support Program institute a policy; (2) that all Peer Support Programs be in compliance with the peer support statute; (3) that Peer Support Team members receive periodic training and that completion of training is documented; and (4) that all law enforcement agencies allocate a specific budget line item for their Peer Support Program.  The Police Department’s response states that the department agrees with the six findings and has completed all of the requested recommendations.  The Police Department is in full compliance with Assembly Bill 1117. 

None.

It is recommended that the City Council:

• Approve the attached response and authorize submittal to the Orange County Grand Jury.