23-090 Suicide Risk Assessment Application Survey

The Department has been partnered with the Palo Alto University (PAU) to conduct academic level research with our Department. This research is in line with our strategic initiatives to ‘Measure and Communicate’ and ‘Strengthen the Department’ by providing quality data to department leaders to inform decision making.

The goal of this partnership is to conduct research of best practices and training when responding to people experiencing behavioral health crises in our city. This partnership includes the distribution of a survey that assesses the resources available to SFPD officers that may aid in managing situations involving people with mental illness, as well as assessing officers’ use of CIT-related training. The online survey is completely voluntary and distributed widely in the department via email. Data from all studies will only be released in a summary form. Members are asked to complete the survey to determine the availability of resources to them in the field.

If you volunteer to participate in this study, you may click the link below to access the online survey. You will then be asked to provide feedback on your experience as a law enforcement officer. You will not be asked for your name or other identifying information, and no individual responses will be shared with SFPD. The total time to participate in this study is approximately 15-20 minutes. Your participation will provide valuable guidance on how to best enhance resources in terms of efficiency and availability.

Information provided through the online survey is completely voluntary, confidential, and anonymous. That is, no members from the department have access to any survey responses, and PAU has established protections that prevent any illegal attempts to gain access to the information they collect. Members may complete the survey while on-duty, no overtime is authorized if completed off-duty.

By completing the survey, members will help the Department develop a baseline of what our officers need to connect individuals suffering from behavioral health crises and other substance use disorders.

To go directly to the survey, please visit the following link: 

Development of a Suicide Risk Assessment Application for Law Enforcement Officers

If you have any questions about this research study, please feel free to contact PAU Principal Investigator, Christopher M. Weaver, Ph.D., [email protected] and Lt. Mario Molina, SFPD Crisis Intervention Coordinator, [email protected].

/s/
WILLIAM SCOTT 
Chief of Police

Per DN 23-152, all sworn & non-sworn members shall electronically acknowledge this Department document in PowerDMS within (30) thirty calendar days of issuance. Members whose duties are relevant to this document shall be held responsible for compliance. Any questions regarding this policy should be sent to [email protected] who will provide additional information.