REPORT TO SHASTA COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS

BOARD MEETING DATE:  April  10, 2018
CATEGORY:  Consent - Health and Human Services-6.

SUBJECT:

Agreement with City of Redding Police Department for Investigation of Crimes Against Elder/Dependent Adults.

Supervisorial District No. :  All

DEPARTMENT CONTACT:  Dean True, Branch Director (530) 225-5900

STAFF REPORT APPROVED BY:  Dean True, Branch Director (530) 225-5900

RECOMMENDATION

Approve and authorize the Chairman to sign a renewal agreement with the City of Redding, through its Police Department, in an amount not to exceed $301,638 to provide investigative services for crimes against elder and dependent adults for the period July 1, 2018 through June 30, 2021.

SUMMARY

This agreement continues the relationship between the City of Redding Police Department (RPD) and the Health and Human Services Agency, Adult Services Branch, Adult Protective Services (APS), to jointly investigate and prosecute elder and dependent adult crimes and abuse.

DISCUSSION

Through this agreement, RPD will continue to provide a half-time sworn police officer dedicated to assisting APS in the investigation of elder and dependent adult crimes and abuse within the city limits of Redding. Having dedicated law enforcement officers with specialized knowledge/understanding of the challenges facing the elder and dependent adult populations and the crimes that are committed against them has proven to be of great value in holding perpetrators accountable.

Activities supported by this agreement target crimes such as abuse and financial fraud and include coordination with APS and other community partners in investigating, referring and presenting cases to the District Attorney with sufficient evidence for prosecution.  Further, the agreement supports RPD participation in staff and community trainings about identification and prevention of dependent adult and elder abuse identification and prevention.

During 2017, RPD received reports of over 100 incidents of crimes against elder and dependent adults including financial fraud, neglect/physical abuse, sexual assault, theft/robbery, and death. The assigned investigator received 31 referrals from APS for investigation.  Of these, 24 were investigated for possible criminal charges, with 8 being referred to the District Attorney for prosecution.

ALTERNATIVES

The Board could choose not to approve the agreement or direct the department to renegotiate some or all terms of the agreement.

OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT

County Counsel has approved the agreement as to form.  Risk Management has reviewed and approved the agreement.  This recommendation has been reviewed by the County Administrative Office.

FINANCING

This agreement pays for the actual cost of one half of the salary and benefits of a full-time sworn police officer. Funding for APS is provided by a combination of 2011 realignment (70 percent) and County General Fund (30 percent).  The appropriations will be included in the FY 2018-19 Social Services (BU 501) Requested Budget and will be included in future year budget submittals.  There is no additional General Fund impact with approval of the recommendation.