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Policy 1033Santa Ana Police Department Santa Ana PD Policy Manual Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2020/03/16, All Rights Reserved. Published with permission by Santa Ana Police DepartmentPeer Support Program - 1Peer Support Program 1033.1 PURPOSE AND SCOPE The Peer Support Team's purpose is to provide a confidential and readily accessible support system dedicated to assisting employees during times of professional and personal crisis. Team members are required to be highly trained, responsive, compassionate peers with a commitment to providing emotional support and assistance to all employees. Further, the vision of the Peer Support Team is to enhance the personal and professional lives of all employees of the Santa Ana Police Department through education, outreach and validation. 1033.2 PROGRAM OBJECTIVES (a)To provide a readily accessible support network of employees and chaplains trained and willing to assist police employees in dealing with and recovering from traumatic incidents, accidents, and other situations that may negatively impact the employee in the future. (b)To promote trust, allow for anonymity, and preserve confidentiality for employees. (c)To maintain an effective and ongoing peer support training process. (d)Through training, enhance the employee's ability to anticipate personal difficulties and to provide an awareness of assistance available through the Peer Support Team (PST). (e)Develop Peer Support personnel who can provide guidance or refer police employees to mental health professionals and alternative resources as required. (f)Create a supportive network designed to check on the status of employees who are off work due to illness or duty-related injuries and provide support where desired or needed. 1033.3 PEER SUPPORT TEAM STRUCTURE 1033.3.1 ROLE OF THE PEER SUPPORT TEAM CORE GROUP The Peer Support Team Core Group will serve as the procedure-setting group for the PST program. The designated Bureau Commander will serve as the administrative liaison for the PST Core Group. The PST Core Group will be selected by the PST Program Coordinator, approved by the designated Bureau Commander, and consist of six PST members representing different ranks, including sworn and non-sworn. The contracted psychological services professionals will serve in a support capacity providing advisory, training, and referral assistance. 1033.3.2 ROLE OF THE PEER SUPPORT TEAM PROGRAM COORDINATOR The PST Program Coordinator will be an experienced team member, selected by the PST Core Group and approved by the designated Bureau Commander. The PST Program Coordinator will be responsible for the following: Santa Ana Police Department Santa Ana PD Policy Manual Peer Support Program Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2020/03/16, All Rights Reserved. Published with permission by Santa Ana Police DepartmentPeer Support Program - 2•Coordinate and maintain liaison between the PST Core Group, resource persons and other Department members •New team member recruitment and coordination of applicant screening •Coordinate training of PST members •Develop resources to assist PST members when problem areas are identified •Maintain a count of reported contacts by peer counselors for statistical purposes •Maintain an accounting of resources used by the program •Offer guidance to peer support members 1033.4 PEER SUPPORT TEAM PARTICIPATION 1033.4.1 SELECTION PROCESS When an opening on the team becomes available, a memorandum shall be published requesting applicants to fill the vacancy. Applicants shall meet the following qualifications: (a)Express a desire to be a PST team member. (b)No work restrictions involving psychological stress. (c)Endorsement through the chain of command. (d)Not currently the object of a serious or major investigation or suffering from serious personal problems. (e)Applicants shall submit a change of assignment request describing why they wish to participate in the program as well as relevant qualifications and experience that he/ she believes would benefit the program. Candidates will participate in an interview panel consisting of PST members and one outside panelist from the City’s psychological services provider or a member of the County’s Peer Support Network. A background check consisting of a review of personnel files and interviews with supervisors and/or co-workers to assess the candidate’s suitability for the program. Candidates who pass all phases of the selection process will be placed on an eligibility list. The PST Program Coordinator will confer with members of the PST Core Group and submit selection recommendations to the designated Bureau Commander, who will make the final selection. 1033.4.2 DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES Upon selection, Peer Support Team members will be required to fulfill the following criteria: (a)Demonstrate strong ethics and agree to maintain confidentiality within the guidelines provided in this policy. (b)Be empathetic and possess good interpersonal and communication skills. (c)Be motivated and willing to manage time effectively in order to minimize disruption to his/her normal duties. Santa Ana Police Department Santa Ana PD Policy Manual Peer Support Program Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2020/03/16, All Rights Reserved. Published with permission by Santa Ana Police DepartmentPeer Support Program - 3(d)Willingness to attend any required initial and on-going training, as well as scheduled meetings. 1033.4.3 REJECTION AND REMOVAL PROCESS In the event an applicant for the Peer Support Team fails to successfully complete any phase of the testing process they will be eliminated from the selection process. A member who resigns in good standing may request reinstatement at any time if a vacancy is available. A member may be reinstated with the recommendation of the PST Program Coordinator and approval by the Designated Bureau Commander. In the case of an involuntary removal from the program, such a decision will be subject to recommendation of the PST Core Group, and the final decision will rest with the Program Coordinator. The