Title
Resolution Directing the City Administrator to Develop an Unarmed Public Safety Response Program
Memorandum
This resolution directs the City Administrator to explore opportunities for unarmed response to public safety calls in the City of Ann Arbor through Metro 911, by means that may include the formation of partnerships with community service providers, an identification of which activities currently carried out by armed police could be carried out by unarmed third parties, and other lines of investigation.
Staff
Prepared by: John Fournier, Assistant City Administrator
Reviewed by: Tom Crawford, City Administrator
Approved by: Tom Crawford, City Administrator
Body
Whereas, In America, police officers are tasked to perform many functions better suited for non-police persons with extensive training and expertise in public health, mental health, and human services (collectively, “Subject Matter Experts”);
Whereas, The City of Ann Arbor does not provide direct public health, mental health, or human services, those services instead being provided by Subject Matter Experts at Community Mental Health, the Washtenaw County Public Health Department, and a combination of the Washtenaw County Office of Community and Economic Development and a wide variety of non-profit, 501(c)(3) organizations (“Subject Matter Agencies”);
Whereas, During even non-confrontational police-public interactions involving public health, mental health, and human service needs, the presence of a holstered firearm may give rise to feelings of unease and intimidation, particularly among persons from BIPOC communities;
Whereas, In America, 22% civilian fatalities (since 2015) and a substantial portion of injuries arising from police engagements involve persons who suffer from mental illness, with some of these fatalities and injuries occurring during calls for service where the deployment of police officers was not necessary;
Whereas, The deployment of a successful public safety response performed by Subject Matter Experts will require close coordination among Metro 911 dispatch, law enforcement, and Subject Matter Agencies;
Whereas, Metro 911 Dispatch services in Ann Arbor are provided by the Washtenaw County Sherriff’s Office Metro 911 Dispatch under contract with the City of Ann Arbor;
Whereas, The Ann Arbor Police Department and the County Mental Health Department currently partner via their Crisis Support Team to coordinate response to calls for service involving people in mental health crisis;
Whereas, The City of Ann Arbor supports continuum of care for community members who need access to services provided by Subject Matter Agencies, avoiding incarceration when possible; and
Whereas, It is in the interest of the City of Ann Arbor to pursue the provision of expanded Subject Matter Expert response to appropriate calls for service via Metro 911 by means including, but not limited to:
• Partnerships with the Washtenaw County Sherriff’s Office Metro Dispatch and Subject Matter Agencies;
• Identification of public safety activities that do not require police officer involvement, such as non-emergency medical calls, homeless encampments, medical transport requests, some mental health in crisis calls, and other similar calls with no direct nexus to suspected criminal activity or clear and present threat to the physical safety of others;
• Partnerships with non-profit 501(c)(3) organizations.
RESOLVED, That the City Administrator is directed by December 31, 2021 to (i) facilitate or establish a program of Subject Matter Expert response in collaboration with Washtenaw County, the Washtenaw County Sherriff’s Office, and/or Subject Matter Agencies, all in consultation with the Independent Community Police Oversight Commission; or (ii) after having consulted with Washtenaw County, the Washtenaw County Sheriff's Office, Subject Matter Agencies and the Independent Community Police Oversight Commission, provide a report to the City Council as to the obstacles preventing such a program and the recommendations for overcoming same;
RESOLVED, That the City Administrator shall, if useful, pursue a professional services agreement to aid in the development of this program or completion of this report in a timely manner;
RESOLVED, The City Council directs the City Administration to include in the FY22 Budget funds necessary to achieve the goals of this resolution; and
RESOLVED, The City Administrator will identify the funding sources in achieving the goals set forth in this resolution.
Sponsor: Mayor Taylor and Councilmembers Song, Briggs, Radina, Eyer, and Griswold
As Amended and Approved by Ann Arbor City Council on April 5, 2021