MEMORANDUM OF AGREEMENT (2) MEMORANDUM OF AGREEMENT
This Memorandum of Agreement("Agreement")is entered into,as of this h day of
SNA S � , 2023, by and between Bob Gualtieri, as Sheriff of Pinellas County, Florida
("Sheriff) and the city of Clearwater Police Department (CPD) (collectively referred to herein as
"Parties").
RECITALS
VVHEREAS, law enforcement routinely responds to calls involving people with mental and
behavioral health issues;
WHEREAS,Florida law authorizes law enforcement officers to take people into custody for an
involuntary mental health examination under the State's Baker Act;
WHEREAS, law enforcement officers receive some training to assist them in recognizing
mental and behavioral health disorders,but law enforcement officers are not mental health providers;
VVH EREAS,it is likely to result in better outcomes, including avoiding having to take people
into custody,if law enforcement officers are accompanied by a mental health professional when responding
to calls involving individuals exhibiting signs and symptoms of mental or behavioral health issues;
WHEREAS, On January 21, 2021, CPD agreed to participate in the Pinellas County Mental
Health Unit(MHU) as a pilot program, and seeks to continue participating in the MHU permanently;
and
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the mutual covenants and
promises herein contained,the Parties,intending to be legally bound, do hereby agree to participate
in the Pinellas County Mental Health Unit (MHU) pursuant to the terms and conditions as listed
herein.
1. Composition of the Mental Health Unit. To accomplish the goals of this Agreement,
the MHU will be staffed by deputy sheriffs employed by the Pinellas County
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Sheriff's Office, police officers employed by the Clearwater Police Department and co -response crisis
response specialists employed by the Pinellas County Sheriffs Office. The MHU law enforcement
officers will be co -supervised by a law enforcement sergeant employed by the Pinellas County Sheriff's
Office and by a law enforcement sergeant employed by the Clearwater Police Department. The crisis
response specialists will be supervised by a licensed clinical supervisor employed by the Pinellas County
Sheriffs Office.
2. Purpose. The purpose of the MHU is to implement a mental health co -response model under
which a deputy sheriff or police officer will respond to mental and behavioral health related calls accompanied
by a mental health professional. The co -response team will work collaboratively to assess the situation and
determine the best response to the situation. The MHU will also provide follow-up care and referral to long-term
case management for those in need in an effort to reduce repeated calls and recidivism in the mental health and
criminal, justice systems.
3. Team Structure. The MHU will be comprised of eight teams. Six teams will be staffed with
a deputy sheriff and a crisis response specialist, and two teams will be staffed by a CPD officer and a crisis
response specialist. Some teams will be assigned as primary responders to active calls involving people with
mental or behavioral health issues. Some teams will be assigned to follow-up care and case management.
The two CPD teams will be assigned as primary responders to active calls primarily occurring within the city of
Clearwater.
4. Sheriffs Supervisory Responsibility for Crisis Response Specialists. The crisis
response specialists are solely employees of the Sheriff and there is no employment relationship
between the crisis response specialists and CPD or the city of Clearwater. Sheriff is solely responsible
for hiring and supervising the crisis response specialists.
5. CPD's Responsibility for Officers. The CPD officers assigned to the MHU remain
CPD employees and CPD is solely responsible for the officers' salaries, benefits and any other
compensation. The officers are not employees of the Sheriff. The CPD officers assigned to the MHU
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shall be governed by all policies and procedures applicable to them by CPD.
6. Costs. The Parties shall each bear their own personnel costs, including all overtime
expenses associated with MHU activities, except that CPD will reimburse Sheriff for the costs of two
crisis response specialists assigned to team with the CPD officers. CPD shall pay to Sheriff the annual
amount that represents the base salary plus all benefit costs for each crisis response specialist in an
amount not to exceed $200,000 annually. CPD shall not be responsible to pay the costs of the two
crisis response specialists assigned to the team with the CPD officers if those positions are vacant
and unfilled for more than two consecutive weeks. The payments shall be made quarterly for work
performed during the previous quarter. The amount paid by CPD annually is subject to increase based
on actual annual cost increases for salary and benefits incurred by Sheriff.
7. Term and Termination. This MOA will remain in effect for five (5) years from the
date of execution or unless terminated as set forth herein. Either party can terminate this MOA by
providing the other party 15 days written notice.
8. Sovereign Immunity. Nothing herein is intended to waive or abrogate any parties
entitlement to sovereign immunity or its provisions as set forth in F.S. § 768.28.
9. Third Party Beneficiary. Nothing herein is intended to create any third -party benefit.
10. Governing Law. The validity, interpretation, and enforcement of this Agreement
shall be governed by, construed and interpreted in accordance with, the laws of the State of Florida.
11. Entire Agreement. This Agreement contains the entire agreement and
understanding of the Parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior
agreements, written or oral, and all other communications between the parties relating to such subject
matter.
12. Amendments and Modifications. This Agreement shall not be amended, altered,
modified, or changed except by a written agreement signed by the Parties.
13. Notice. All notices given under this Agreement shall be in writing and deemed
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effectively given when sent by certified mail, or in person with proof of delivery, to the respective
Party's headquarters. Any party changing their headquarters address or requesting notice to an
alternative address must notify the other parties in writing at least 30 days prior to the new notice
address becoming effective.
14. Acknowledgement. The Parties acknowledge having read this Agreement in full,
understand all of its terms and obligations and they enter into this Agreement freely and voluntarily.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement.
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Signature Page—Pinellas County Mental Health Unit Memorandum of Agreement
PINELLAS COUWW SHERIFF'S OFFICE
Br
ob Gualtier4 Sheriff
Date: J"'. / 10 L
REMAINING PAGE BLANK
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Signature Page — Pinellas County Mental Health Unit Memorandum of Agreement
Countersigned: CITY OF CLEARWATER, FLORIDA
Brian J. Aun
Mayor
By:
cY)
Jenn er oirrier
City Manager
Approved as to form: Attest:
Melissa Isabel
Assistant City Attorney
telLa LOA cc- 0
Rosemarie CaII
City Clerk
REMAINING PAGE BLANK
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2021-2023 Mental Health Unit Report
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MENTAL HEALTH UNIT
In February 2021, the Clearwater Police Department created its Mental Health Unit. The Mental
Health Unit is a pilot program that focuses on addressing calls for service involving citizens who
suffer from mental health issues. The Clearwater Police Department's unit consists of two officers,
Cheryl Wood and Carissa Costello. Both are paired with a civilian Crisis Response Specialist to
meet with citizens in a mental health crisis that may warrant intervention. As a team, they contact
the citizen and evaluate their mental state to determine their willingness to receive help. Before
this unit was created, law enforcement had limited resources to adequately address the calls for
service the police department received regarding these types of calls for service.
In the two years the Mental Health Unit has been operational, they have responded to 3,740 total
calls for service. Collectively, these officers assisted with 1,977 mental health-related calls for
service. This benefits the police department for many reasons, but the primary benefit includes the
clients receiving the care they may desperately need before the problem manifests into a serious
or potentially violent encounter. In some instances, the Mental Health Unit has been asked to be
preemptive and reach out to a citizen whose behavior appears to be escalating. This allows the
client to avoid a potential criminal charge or Baker Act.
Below is the call for service data provided by the department's Crime Analysis Unit:
Clearwater Police Department -Total Mental Health Related Calls for Service
2021 calls for service
3,250
2022 calls for service
2,746
2023 calls for service
402
Total
6,398
Officer Carissa Costello — Mental Health Related Calls for Service
2021 calls for service
811
2022 calls for service
416
2023 calls for service
50
Total
1,277
Officer Cheryl Wood — Mental Health Related Calls for Service
2021 calls for service
349
2022 calls for service
303
2023 calls for service
48
Total
700
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Officer Carissa Costello — Total Calls for Service
2021 calls for service
990
2022 calls for service
1,024
2023 calls for service
180
Total
2,194
Officer Cheryl Wood — Total Calls for Service
2021 calls for service
710
2022 calls for service
701
2023 calls for service
135
Total
1,546
When asked, both officers advised they have noticed a significant increase in successful law
enforcement contacts with their clients since the team's creation.
Below I have highlighted some of their "success" stories.
In 2021, the Mental Health Unit assisted a 14 -year-old juvenile with a long history of suicidal
ideation. This juvenile was a frequent runaway who previously attempted to take her own life. The
juvenile was placed into a group home and away from an unstable family life, which was a constant
trigger for her. The Mental Health Unit involved the Department of Children and Families, and
the Suncoast Center before additional problems arose. Since implementing these resources, the
Mental Health Unit has not had contact with the juvenile in over a year.
CW21-32765, CW21-62066, CW21-83822, CW21-86648, CW21-93703, CW21-95502,
CW21-108186
In 2021, the Mental Health Unit assisted a 49 -year-old female who was residing in a U -Haul in
her driveway. The female had previously been the subject of numerous law enforcement contacts
before this incident without success. The Mental Health Unit initiated a Baker Act at the time, and
the citizen spent over three months in a local hospital for treatment. Once she was released, she
was provided with a PIC (Pinellas Integrated Care) case manager. The client is now medicated,
able to care for herself, and employed.
CW21-119221
In 2021, the Mental Health Unit assisted a 44 -year-old male who was subject to numerous civil
and criminal complaints. The client was previously Baker Acted and criminally charged for
assaults, disturbances, and threatening neighbors. The Mental Health Unit worked with the client's
property management team, attorney, and family to resolve the constant complaints from other
citizens. As a result of their tireless work, the client was sentenced to probation and mandated
mental health treatment. Since then, the Mental Health Unit has not had contact with the client
since January 2022.
S021-35765, CW21-134789, CW21-155347
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In 2022, the Mental Health Unit assisted a 34 -year-old male who suffered from a long history of
Schizoaffective disorder. The male had previously been Baker Acted numerous times and was
the subject of an Ex Parte order. The unit became involved and continuously monitored him while
providing resources such as a PIC Team case manager. Since May 2022, the client has not had
contact with the Mental Health Unit.
CW22-18226. CW22-21477
Over a two-year period, the Mental Health Unit assisted a ten -year-old female and her family in
getting the help the juvenile desperately needed. The client had previously been Baker Acted more
than ten times and been the subject of numerous law enforcement contacts. The Mental Health
team successfully linked the client to the Suncoast Center for in-home treatment and care. The
juvenile is currently receiving counseling, and she is under a medication management program.
CW21-18615, S021-44335, CW21-15454, CW22-90261, CW22-93089
CONCLUSION
It is undeniable that the team has had a significant impact on our community, specifically as it
relates to those who suffer from mental health issues. The purpose of this unit is to mitigate
potentially violent situations from occurring, provide valuable resources to enhance the lives of
their clients, and to ensure the best possible outcomes. In 2021, the MHU teams handled
approximately 35% of the mental health related calls received by the department. When comparing
2021 and 2022, the department saw a 15.5% reduction in mental health related calls. The
department attributes this to connecting people to services more efficiently and reducing the
number of repetitive calls for the same person having a recurring crisis. In 2022, the MHU teams
handled 26% of the mental health related calls received by the department.
While I have provided some statistics and success stories, I cannot quantify the work these two
officers do daily. The relationships they have built throughout the community have undoubtedly
saved lives. The police officers in the field provide positive feedback of the program, indicating in
the past they had no alternatives to assist people in crisis other than to use the Baker Act. Without
the Mental Health Unit, the department would be putting the officers behind the proverbial curve
when dealing with citizens who receive the benefits of such an instrumental team.
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