Council consideration and possible authorization for staff to submit an application for the Department of Justice (DOJ) Law Enforcement Mental Health and Wellness Act (LEMHWA) Grant program for the expansion of the police department's wellness program to assist officers, dispatchers and professional staff with the emotional stresses of the profession.
 

ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. 2023-2305 AUTHORIZING THE SUBMISSION OF AN APPLICATION FOR FY 2024-2025 LAW ENFORCEMENT MENTAL HEALTH AND WELLNESS ACT GRANT FUNDS TO DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE, AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE ALL DOCUMENTS RELATING TO SAID APPLICATION, AND AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE A GRANT AGREEMENT (IF GRANT FUNDS ARE AWARDED), AND AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO APPROVE THE REQUIRED BUDGET TRANSFER (IF GRANT FUNDS ARE AWARDED). (Santiago Rodriguez, Chief of Police)

The police department is requesting funding of $185,000.00 from the DOJ LEMHWA grant. There are no matching fund requirements with this grant and no requirements to continue funding after an awarded grant expires.

The Goodyear Police Department values the mental wellness of their employees. The department has been working with the City wellness committee but recognizes that the job requirements of the department's 206 employees requires additional programs that are focused on the events that the employees experience on a regular basis.  In December 2022, the department issued the Wellness and Resiliency Policy that identifies Chief Rodriguez's commitment and philosophy to assist with dealing with the stressors brought on by employee's on-the-job and home events. The department has implemented the chaplain program, a free wellness resource application, physical and emotional wellness programs.

The Department has assessed additional assets that would bring value to the existing wellness program and is seeking funding from the DOJ LEMHWA grant to further develop the program within the department. The grant proposal includes funding overtime costs for all department employees to attend active bystandership for law enforcement (ABLE) training. This training aims to promote overall health and wellness and reduce misconduct, and avoid mistakes. In addition, the funding would allow the expansion of attendance and frequency of wellness visits; a more robust law enforcement wellness application, and assist with funding visits covered by the Craig Tiger Act (House Bill 2502). Funding for portions of some programs is available through the police department's budget, however, additional funds will allow for these services at a higher level.