TITLE
Recommendation to adopt resolution authorizing City Manager, or designee, to execute a contract, and any necessary amendments, with Trauma Intervention Programs, Inc., a non-profit organization of Vista, CA, for victim support services, in an annual amount not to exceed $57,420, for a period of two years, with the option to renew annually, at the discretion of the City Manager. (Citywide)
DISCUSSION
In 2015, President Obama’s Task Force Report on 21st Century Policing (Report) provided best practice recommendations to the law enforcement community to improve overall police practices. Since the release of the Report, national entities including the U.S. Department of Justice, the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP), and the Police Executive Research Forum have researched the impact of trauma and stressful incidents and mental health impacts. The IACP released new resources for law enforcement agencies, including specific recommendations that law enforcement agencies enhance victim services.
Trauma Intervention Programs, Inc. (TIP), is a California non-profit organization that trains and coordinates community volunteers to provide a crisis response team that will provide emotional first aid to members of the public impacted by traumatic crime scenes. Upon notification from the Long Beach Police Department (LBPD) of an incident, TIP volunteers will respond to the incident within 20 minutes to provide emotional aid, referrals to support services, and other victim services, as needed. TIP has established partnerships with neighboring law enforcement agencies, including the Orange County Sheriff’s Department, Anaheim Police Department, Irvine Police Department, and the Costa Mesa Police Department.
TIP is the only known local provider that offers this type of training and volunteer coordination service for trauma support. Their training is an intensive 55-hour academy with continual instruction and education. Volunteers are selected from the local community, required to pass a background check, and serve multiple shifts each month to respond to emergencies. This coordination guarantees that critical support services will be available, at any hour of the day or night. The ability to utilize a non-profit partner to engage Long Beach community volunteers for such services provides an additional resource to the LBPD as they resolve emergency incidents that include traumatic circumstances.
City Charter Section 1801 requires that contracts for City purchases be awarded to the lowest responsible bidder after a competitive bid process, but allows for awards without a competitive bid process if accompanied by a Resolution adopted by the City Council.
This matter was reviewed by Deputy City Attorney Sarah E. Green on October 8, 2019, and by Purchasing Agent Tara Yeats and Budget Management Officer Rhutu Amin Gharib on October 23, 2019.
TIMING CONSIDERATIONS
City Council action is requested on November 19, 2019, to ensure the agreement is in place expeditiously.
FISCAL IMPACT
The total annual cost of the TIP contract will not exceed $57,420. Sufficient funds for these services are budgeted in the General Fund Group in the Police Department. This recommendation has no staffing impact beyond the normal budgeted scope of duties and is consistent with existing City Council priorities. There is a local job impact associated with this recommendation.
SUGGESTED ACTION
Approve recommendation.
BODY
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Respectfully Submitted,
ROBERT G. LUNA
CHIEF OF POLICE
APPROVED:
THOMAS B. MODICA
ACTING CITY MANAGER