{"id":187644,"date":"2026-02-21T15:35:10","date_gmt":"2026-02-21T15:35:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/187644\/"},"modified":"2026-02-21T15:35:10","modified_gmt":"2026-02-21T15:35:10","slug":"chaffee-highlights-innovative-community-policing-program-in-presentation-to-fullerton-city-council","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/187644\/","title":{"rendered":"Chaffee Highlights Innovative Community Policing Program in Presentation to Fullerton City Council"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a>Doug Chaffee, Chair of the\u00a0Orange County Board of Supervisors, delivered a presentation to the\u00a0Fullerton City Council\u00a0on February 17, 2026, outlining the origins, progress, and future of a behavioral health-focused community policing program in the city.<\/p>\n

Chaffee traced the program\u2019s roots back nearly a decade to discussions about strengthening trust between law enforcement and residents. He noted that earlier efforts to implement such reforms were complicated by the aftermath of the 2011 murder of\u00a0Kelly Thomas by police officers, which led to significant legal and financial consequences for the city, including a $7 million settlement. In the years that followed, national debates over policing \u2014 including calls to shift funding away from police departments toward social services \u2014 further shaped the conversation.<\/p>\n

Chaffee said he came to believe that integrating social services directly into police departments, rather than separating them, could better address community needs. After joining the county, he explored partnerships through Orange County Behavioral Health and connected with\u00a0CSU, Fullerton, to help develop a new model.<\/p>\n

Working alongside then-Police Chief\u00a0Bob Dunn\u00a0and then-Captain\u00a0Jon Radus\u00a0\u2014 now the city\u2019s police chief \u2014 the city established a program embedding behavioral health specialists within the\u00a0Fullerton Police Department.
Unlike traditional models that rely on outside contractors, Fullerton\u2019s behavioral health specialists are department employees who work directly with officers.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe statistics I\u2019m seeing are beyond my expectations,\u201d Chaffee said.<\/p>\n

Data provided by Fullerton Police Department\u2019s Public Information Officer Kristy Wells shows that the program is having a measurable impact. From November 2024 through December 2025, Behavioral Health Co-Responders handled 1,011 calls for service.<\/p>\n

Of those mental health-related calls, 43% resulted in a formal mental health evaluation, ensuring individuals in crisis received immediate clinical assessment and intervention. Twelve percent led to a hospital hold when a higher level of care was necessary.<\/p>\n

In total, resources and referrals were provided in 887 cases, meaning the vast majority of contacts resulted in direct support, service connection, or follow-up care. The data indicate that nearly half of crisis calls led to on-scene clinical evaluation, with appropriate escalation to hospital treatment when required, and a strong emphasis on connecting individuals to ongoing support.<\/p>\n

The program also introduced distinct uniforms and vehicles to reduce the stigma sometimes associated with patrol car responses.\u00a0Chaffee outlined three primary goals: expanding access to specialized services for residents in crisis; improving public and officer safety by allowing police to focus on law enforcement duties; and supporting officer well-being by reducing stress associated with complex social service calls.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe don\u2019t want stressed-out officers out on patrol,\u201d he said, emphasizing the importance of mental health support within the department.<\/p>\n

According to Chaffee, early results have exceeded expectations. He also announced plans to submit the program for statewide recognition through the\u00a0California State Association of Counties, which represents all 58 counties in California.\u201cThere\u2019s a statewide recognition coming, so all of you can be proud of what\u2019s happening here,\u201d he told the council, encouraging continued local support.<\/p>\n

Mayor Jung praised Chaffee\u2019s leadership. \u201cCredit goes to you, Mr. Chairman, for the program, certainly for funding it and carrying it through. We are truly grateful in the city,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

Councilmember\u00a0Ahmad Zahra\u00a0raised concerns about gaps in nighttime services for individuals experiencing homelessness, noting that shelters often lack evening intake and officers have limited options for medical referrals after hours.<\/p>\n

Chaffee responded that behavioral health specialists primarily provide referrals rather than direct treatment, but said additional help may be forthcoming. He referenced a proposed \u201cstreet medicine\u201d initiative under consideration through CalOptima Health \u2014 formerly known as the Orange County Health Care Agency\u2019s CalOptima program \u2014 in partnership with 12 North Orange County cities (North SPA). If approved, the program would initially be funded by CalOptima Health and become self-sustaining over time. Chaffee said he anticipates the street medicine program could launch by the end of the year.<\/p>\n

Councilmember\u00a0Shana Charles\u00a0commended Chaffee for prioritizing public health approaches in public safety policy, citing previous efforts such as gun buyback initiatives. She also expressed support for expanding partnerships through the Hope Center and local nonprofit organizations.<\/p>\n

Chaffee added that discussions are underway with CSU, Fullerton, about placing master\u2019s-level interns within the police department to assist with administrative work and gain firsthand exposure to modern policing practices. He suggested the program could serve as a model for other jurisdictions.<\/p>\n

Councilmember\u00a0Jamie Valencia, a nurse, praised the inclusion of behavioral health specialists in field responses, calling the program \u201crefreshing\u201d and thanking those involved for their work.<\/p>\n

Chaffee closed by emphasizing the distinction between local law enforcement and federal immigration authorities, stressing that Fullerton officers \u201care not ICE by any means\u201d and remain focused on serving and building trust within the community.<\/p>\n

As the program continues to expand and gain recognition, city leaders signaled their intent to maintain support for what they described as an innovative and evolving model of community policing.<\/p>\n

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