HI HCR128

Request county police departments to develop and provide updated and expanded training in collaboration with the Department of Health and University of Hawaii for officers with frequent contact with individuals experiencing homelessness, behavioral health issues, or mental health issues.

Request the Department of Health to provide trained personnel to accompany county police officers on calls involving individuals experiencing homelessness, behavioral health issues including substance use, or mental health issues, and to collaborate with county police departments on training curriculum development.

Request the University of Hawaii to provide technical assistance including: training and professional development for Department of Health behavioral health personnel; development of a school-to-work pipeline with paid student externships for University of Hawaii students in health science or social science programs; and assessment of current coordination between county law enforcement, Department of Health, and relevant stakeholders.

Model efforts on the Law Enforcement Assisted Diversion (LEAD) program pioneered in King County, Washington in 2011, which diverts individuals engaged in low-level crimes into community-based interventions rather than the criminal justice system.

Transmit copies of the resolution to the Governor's Coordinator on Homelessness, Director of Health, President of the University of Hawaii, county police chiefs, and the Executive Director of Partners in Care.