Page 264 - City of Bedford FY20 Approved Budget

City of Bedford
Program Summary
FY 2019-2020

Fund: General
Department: Police Division: Behavioral Intervention Unit

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

The Behavioral Intervention Unit (BIU) focuses on the victims of domestic violence and mental health related issues. This unit was
created in 2012 and has since evolved to include a tier-response system to address both of these issues. The focus of this unit is to
develop a trusting relationship with victims in order to coordinate and provide resources to address their needs. In providing dedicated
and concentrated efforts to these victims, especially those who experience repeat occurrences, the Behavioral Intervention Unit reduces
the number of police officer calls for service to the same location and/or same individuals.

The BIU is currently situated in a storefront property in Hurst, TX, in a partnership with the Cities of Hurst and Euless to better serve the
needs of the community and citizens. Additionally, the three cities share the resources and services provided through a MHMR
Coordinator, as well as a Crime Victim Liaison and Advocate. In 2018, the Unit collaborated with the Tarrant County District Attorney's
Office Intimate Partner Unit to further develop an offender-focused program to address the growing concern with domestic violence.

FY 2018-2019 HIGHLIGHTS

∗ Began utilizing an existing detective to be dedicated to cases involving intimate partner violence.
∗ Partnership and collaboration with Code Compliance Division in identifying ordinance violators suffering from mental illnesses to
find a resolution to the ordinance violation while finding resources to assist the mental illness.
∗ Partnership and collaboration with the Hurst-Euless-Bedford ISD Crisis Clinicians to address concerns with district students related
to mental health and developmentally disabling issues.
∗ Partnership with Project Beloved: The Molly Jane Mission, to transform an existing Criminal Investigations Interview room into a
'soft' room specifically to provide a safe and comforting environment for the survivors of violent crimes during interviews.
∗ Provided Strangulation Training to Bedford EMS personnel.
∗ Partnership and collaboration with The Women’s Center to get 80% of all Sworn Personnel trained on Trauma Informed
Interviewing Techniques.
∗ Coordinated and hosted the free 8-hour Statewide Strangulation Course attended by over 45 other agencies/jurisdictions.
FY 2019-2020 DIVISIONAL GOALS
(AS RELATED TO COUNCIL STRATEGIC FOCUS AREAS)

Transformation
∗ Reduce the gap in enforcement actions to bring quicker resolution to cases.
∗ Aids in the reduction of repeat victims.
Organizational Excellence
∗ Provides services in lieu of officers called to location.

Communicate & Engage with Citizens
∗ Provide continued follow-ups with victims to facilitate recovery and healing.

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