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APPROVE RESOLUTION ACCEPTING A SAFER OUTCOMES: ENHANCING DE-ESCALATION AND CRISIS RESPONSE TRAINING FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT GRANT AWARD FROM THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE OFFICE OF COMMUNITY ORIENTED POLICING SERVICES, IN THE AMOUNT OF $500,000
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RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the City Council adopt a resolution to:
1. Authorize the City Manager, or designee, to accept a Safer Outcomes: Enhancing De-Escalation and Crisis Response Training for Law Enforcement grant award from the U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS), in the amount of $500,000;
2. Authorize the City Manager, or designee, to execute the grant agreement and all related documents necessary to carry out the purpose and intent of the grant award;
3. Amend the Fiscal Year 2025-26 Annual Budget to increase the Police Grants & Special Programs revenue and expenditure appropriations by $500,000; and
4. Authorize the City Manager, or designee, to take appropriate and necessary actions to carry out the purpose and intent of this resolution.
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Summary
The Stockton Police Department (SPD) seeks Council approval to accept grant funding from the United States Department of Justice Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS), project title: FY 2025 Safer Outcomes: Enhancing De-Escalation and Crisis Response Training for Law Enforcement program.
The $500,000 award provides funding to support law enforcement training in de-escalation tactics, crisis intervention, and alternatives to the use of force. The funding will allow SPD to expand its current crisis response and de-escalation training program for sworn officers and enhance community safety and trust. The grant will fund necessary equipment, a Memorandum of Understanding with San Joaquin County Behavioral Health, and overtime for staff to develop scenarios.
The $500,000 award will be available for a period of two years, and no local match is required.
DISCUSSION
Background
The Safer Outcomes program is a nationwide initiative of the U.S. Department of Justice, COPS Office, designed to promote safe and effective interactions between law enforcement and individuals in crisis. The program supports training for de-escalation, crisis response, and alternatives to the use of force.
Eligible applicants included state, local, tribal, and territorial law enforcement agencies. Awards of up to $500,000 were available to agencies with more than 200 full-time sworn officers.
In June 2025, the Stockton Police Department submitted a grant application for the Safer Outcomes program to fund the expansion of de-escalation and crisis response training. The SPD’s application focused on improving officer response to individuals experiencing behavioral health or suicidal crises, strengthening participation on crisis intervention teams, and building relationships with partnering agencies.
Present Situation
In October 2025, the COPS Office notified SPD that the City of Stockton was selected to receive a Safer Outcomes grant award in the amount of $500,000.
Grant funds will be used to implement and expand de-escalation and crisis response training for SPD personnel. This will include developing new training curriculum, partnering with San Joaquin County Behavioral Health (SJBH), purchasing training materials, and conducting workshops and scenario-based exercises for staff. SJBH will participate in the development of training scenarios and provide feedback as those scenarios are carried out.
To proceed, City Council approval is required to accept the grant award, authorize execution of the grant agreement, and appropriate the associated revenues and expenditures within the Police Department Special Grants account (Exhibit 1 to the Proposed Resolution).
FINANCIAL SUMMARY
The Safer Outcomes grant provides $500,000 in funding for a two-year term from October 1, 2025, through September 30, 2027. There is no local match requirement, and there is no impact to the General Fund.
Grant revenue and expenditure appropriations will be added to the FY 2025-26 Police Special Grants Fund Budget as follows:
• Revenue appropriation of $500,000 to the FY 2025 COPS Safer Outcomes Grant in the Police Department Special Grants, Support Services Division account.
• Expenditure appropriation of $500,000 to the FY 2025 COPS Safer Outcomes Grant in the Police Department Special Grants, Support Services Division account.