Celina City Council members approved a resolution to submit an application to the Texas Public Safety Office’s state grant program for the city’s police department during a March 7 meeting.
The grant, if awarded, would delegate funds for a new mental health-focused officer position to assist the Celina Police Department’s efforts to improve mental health in the community, according to meeting documents.
The details
The new officer would split their attention between two aspects of mental health assistance:
- 50% as an in-department position addressing officers’ wellness needs
- 50% as a neighborhood service officer for Celina’s multifamily housing communities
Managing those needs is expected to address the high rates of burnout, self-harm, suicide and other health outcomes among law enforcement officers, which should help both the officers and the communities they serve, according to meeting documents.
The program is also expected to encourage mental health reform in law enforcement by destigmatizing mental illness.
Going forward
If selected as a recipient, the city will match 20% of the funds awarded, according to meeting documents. An update on the grant status is expected to be announced at a future city meeting.
