Eugene police subcommittee urges hiring of dedicated mental-health professional and shorter timeline for post-incident counseling

The law enforcement, mental health and wellness subcommittee of the Eugene Police Commission unanimously recommended that the full Police Commission adopt a resolution urging the Eugene Police Department to engage the services of a dedicated mental-health professional and supported editing department policy to require the first post-critical-incident counseling session "within 2 weeks of the critical incident, if at all possible."

Chair Jack Rady, who led the subcommittee meeting, said he was “not comfortable with the idea of making it policy” that the department must hire a full-time clinician given budget constraints, but said the subcommittee should “recommend from this subcommittee that the department do everything possible to obtain the services of a mental health care professional.” The motion recommending the resolution was moved and seconded and passed unanimously.

The recommendation asks the department to seek a clinician who is familiar with law-enforcement stressors but stops short of imposing hiring mandates; the subcommittee agreed the recommendation should be framed as supportive rather than compulsory so it could be carried forward to the full Police Commission and, if necessary, to city council. Commissioner Jencina Hawkins…