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Home My WebLink About2023-09-07; Police Department Training Sergeant Pilot Program (Districts All); Williams, MickeyTo the members of the: CITY COUNCIL Date9l1/2-3 cAJl-..cc:l._/ CM \/ACM _,_/ DCM (3) L September 7, 2023 To: From: Via: Re : Honorable Ma Mickey Willia Scott Chadwic Council Memo randum b rn and Members of the City Council ager {cityof Carlsbad Memo ID# 2023093 g Sergeant Pilot Program (Districts -All) This memorandum provides City Council with information related to a Police Department pilot program whereby a Homeless Outreach Team (HOT) Sergeant will be reassigned to a newly created Training Sergeant position. Background In 2019, the Police Department HOT was created with two Police Officers and one Sergeant. Then in 2021, an additional two Police Officers and one Sergeant were added to the HOT. In May 2022, all Police Department supervisors and above engaged in a 3-day teambuilding and strategic planning conference. During this meeting, it was determined by all attendees that the need for a new Training Sergeant position was of the highest priority. This was the result of in- depth discussions related to the Police Department's commitment to employing de-escalation and crisis management best practices, enhancing employee training, and the need to identify strategies to enhance employee wellness through training. In addition to the creation of a Training Sergeant position, the following strategic plan goals were identified during the meeting and incorporated into the Police Department's 3-year Strategic Plan: • Pillar/Goal 2.5; Encourage a culture of de-escalation and t houghtful crisis management. • Pillar/Goal 5.1; Enhance current training practices with a focus on providing comprehensive crisis management training, employing best practices from each training specialty, as appropriate for the specific circumstances of an incident. • Pillar/Goal 5.3; Provide leadership training opportunities to employees, sworn and professional, and encourage higher education consistent with the city's tuition reimbursement program. • Pillar/Goal 5.4; Formalize the training protocol for employees who are assigned to new positions. • Pillar/Goal 5.5; Formalize critical incident debriefing protocol and documentation to ensure that the department maximizes the learning potential of unique incidents. Police Depart ment 2560 Orion Way I Carlsbad, CA 92010 I 442-339-2100 t Council Memo -Police Department Training Sergeant Pilot Program (Districts -All) September 7, 2023 Page 2 • Pillar/Goal 5.7; Seek opportunities to include community input and collaboration when creating training curriculum. • Pillar/Goal 5.8; Formalize new supervisor mentoring and training program. • Pillar/Goal 6.2; Research options for consolidated officer training days to limit disruption of officers' scheduled days off. In August 2022, City Council declared a traffic emergency in the city. In furtherance of the city's traffic safety effort, the Police Department temporarily reassigned one HOT Sergeant and two HOT Police Officers to the Traffic Division to enhance traffic enforcement citywide. For most of the year-long traffic emergency, the HOT personnel supported the Traffic Division. The two HOT Police Officers have since been assigned back to the HOT. Discussion Beginning September 18, 2023, the Police Department will assign one HOT Sergeant to fill the newly created Training Sergeant, as a pilot program. It should be noted that the HOT will still be staffed by an assigned Lieutenant, Sergeant, and six Police Officers, providing 7-day a week coverage. The newly created Training Sergeant position will be filled by Sergeant Nate Horton. Sergeant Horton is an experienced law enforcement professional and also possesses a Doctor of Education Degree in Organizational Leadership. The Police Department is fortunate to be able to leverage Sergeant Horton's practical law enforcement experience with his academic training for the benefit of the Police Department and community. In addition to the specific Strategic Plan Goals discussed earlier, Training Sergeant Horton will also be responsible for the following department duties: 1. Serve as the Field Training Coordinator (FTC) a. The FTC is expected to maintain the Field Training Program (FTP) b. Oversee the FTP manual c. Supervise Field Training Officers and Sergeants d. Onboard new employees and ensure they are properly equipp~d and prepared for in-field deployments e. Serve as a liaison between the department and the regional academies f. Schedule trainees throughout the FTO program g. Facilitate FTO meetings and on-going training 2. Supervise In -Service Training a. Coordinate all required in-service training with department subject matter experts b. ·Ensure all personnel remain up to date with their required training c. Implement and regularly update the training matrix for all departmental assignments Council Memo -Police Department Training Sergeant Pilot Program (Districts -All) September 7, 2023 Page 3 d. Oversee the coordination of the Citizen and CSO Academies e. Work with stakeholders to develop and maintain a robust Crisis Management Training (CMT) program to ensure departmental priorities are consistent across the various disciplines within the department 3. Administrative Duties a. Assist with training and supporting the Community Police Engagement Commission b. Provide assistance with audits/compliance for the various teams across the department c. Oversee the department's inventory of equipment d. Assist the Professional Standards and Services Bureau with confidential tasks related to internal affairs investigations and hiring efforts e. Standardize and ensure accuracy and consistency in department forms and presentations 4. !CS/Special Events Coordinator a. Assist the Traffic Lieutenant and SWAT Commander with the logistical efforts surrounding special events within the city b. Create and maintain scheduling for special events and other pre-planned incidents c. Serve as a liaison for the EOC and coordinate related training Pilot Program It is understood that homeless response is a high priority for the city and City Council. The reassignment of one Sergeant is contingent upon the city's homelessness response not suffering a loss of efficiency or productivity. In an effort to monitor any effect of this reassignment, Police Department HOT personnel will meet regularly with Housing and Homeless Services staff to discuss any potential issues and or effects of this reassignment. Additionally, the Housing and Homeless Services Director and Police Chief will meet at least monthly to discuss any potential issues and/or concerns to ensure that the city's homelessness response efforts are not negatively impacted. In the event staff observe a deterioration in homelessness response efforts, the HOT Sergeant will be replaced . Fiscal Impacts There are no net fiscal impacts to the Police Department as a result of this pilot program. In fact, a motivating factor in the implementation of this pilot program was to accomplish the important training related goals discussed earlier while not adding additional staff to the Police Department. Council Memo -Police Department Training Sergeant Pilot Program (Districts -All) September 7, 2023 Page 4 However, it should be noted that effective September 18, 2023, the budget for one Police Sergeant will be transferred from the HOT to the Professional Services and Standards Bureau. This will result in an annual transfer of $338,374 which will be reported during the homeless response updates to City Council as a savings in the homeless response budget allocations. Next Steps The Police Department will continue to work closely with the Housing and Homeless Services Department, providing 7-day a week HOT services to the community. Additionally, the Police Department and Housing and Homeless Services Department will actively monitor any effects of this pilot program and take appropriate action if necessary. cc: Geoff Patnoe, Assistant City Manager Cindie McMahon, City Attorney Gary Barberio, Deputy City Manager, Community Services Mandy Mills, Housing and Homeless Services Director Paz Gomez, Deputy City Manager, Public Works Laura Rocha, Deputy City Manager, Administrative Services