HomeMy WebLinkAbout121724-07.1 POLICE DEPT UPDATEMental Health
Strategic Plan
Outreach
New Chief of Police
D A N V I L L E P O L I C E D E P A R T M E N T J U L Y 2 0 2 4
9 /1 1 M E M O R I A L A T O A K H I L L P A R K T O Y S F O R T O T S D E C E M B E R 2 0 2 4
I N C O M I N G P O L I C E C H I E F T O M R O S S B E R G
P I C T U R E D W I T H “C H E F ” I N 2 0 1 5
Police Department Update
December 2024
Delivering Superior Municipal Services that Make People’s Lives Better
Small Town Atmosphere, Outstanding Quality of Life
MHET
MENTAL HEALTH
EVALUATION TEAM
Mental Health
Response
In Contra Costa County, the Mental Health Evaluation Team (MHET) functions
as a proactive case management team, working to prevent mental health
crises by providing early intervention and support services. Conversely, the A3
Crisis Response team is on hand 24/7 to manage situations where someone is
actively in a mental health crisis, offering immediate stabilization and linkage
to further care. If no other solution will work, Danville police officers, under
California Welfare and Institutions Code sections 5150 and 5585, can detain
individuals for up to 72 hours for psychiatric evaluation if they are a danger to
themselves or others, or gravely disabled due to mental health issues.
Multi-Prong Approach
POLICE
RESPONSE
A3 - ANYONE,
ANYWHERE, ANYTIME
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Total Mental Health Commitments (5150/5585)
2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 YTD 20240
20
40
60
80
100
120
140
106
75 91
128
98 88 84 93
72 59
A 3 D a s h b o a r d
The A3 Crisis Response Dashboard offers insights into crisis calls, performance, call
types and locations, resource use, impact metrics like hospital diversions, and trend
analysis, potentially with interactive features. This summary assumes typical
dashboard functions since direct access isn't available. For a detailed view, visit: A3
Dashboard (https://www.cchealth.org/get-care/a3-crisis-response/a3-dashboard).
Mental Health
Response
DISCLAIMERThe Mental Health Evaluation Team has managed 17 cases in Danville so far in 2024,
diverting mental health responses away from a police response by Danville PD. The
Danville Police Department has experienced a significant decrease in mental health
commitments over the past ten years, with the current number approximately 50% less
than the 128 commitments recorded in 2018. The figure for 2024 reflects the total up to
December 9, 2024.
M H E T R e s p o n s e a n d P o l i c e C o m m i t m e n t s
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E X A M P L E C H A R T S F R O M A 3 D A S H B O A R D S H O W I N G D A T A F R O M J U L Y 2 0 2 3 T H R O U G H D E C E M B E R 2 0 2 4
Outreach Programs: The Danville PD has increased teen participation from the local
community in the Contra Costa County Junior Women’s Academy, fostering future female law
enforcement leaders.
Transparency: More detailed crime information is now shared with the public, which enhances
community trust, transparency, and cooperation.
Community Involvement: Public assistance is encouraged through platforms like Nixle for
crime-related issues, alongside promoting personal security measures.
Strategic Direction 1: Community Trust and Partnerships
Staff Optimization: Role adjustments and reclassification have enabled more specialized
service delivery tailored to community needs. Transitioning to a problem-oriented policing
model and employing more highly trained full-time Police Assistants in the field has resulted in
an increase in services provided to the community.
Strategic Direction 2: Public Safety Innovation
Strategic
Plan
The Danville Police Department Strategic Plan was crafted in 2018 and published in July 2019
to guide improvements in delivering superior police services and enhance the quality in
Danville. It was drafted with input from community volunteers (VIPS) and department staff,
outlining missions to prevent crime, build trust, advance safety solutions, and invest in
personnel. Despite national unrest and law enforcement challenges over the past seven years,
this dynamic plan guided the department in fostering public safety through strategic vision and
community partnership within four strategic direction pillars.
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Strategic
Plan
Employee Development: The Danville PD ensures officers receive dedicated time for
professional growth during each shift, equipping them with advanced skills
necessary for modern policing.
Facility Improvements: Danville PD now features an outdoor gym and a highly
utilized indoor gym. The department has undergone facility design improvements
after benchmarking with other modernized police departments, which has enhanced
operational efficiency, safety, and training.
Equipment Management: A detailed inventory system with a depreciation schedule
has been implemented to streamline budgeting and ensure timely equipment
replacement. Specialized Active Shooter Response training has been provided to
every officer on patrol, preparing them to protect the community in dangerous
situations.
Strategic Direction 3: Enhancing Departmental Capabilities
Inter-Agency Collaboration: Enhanced collaboration through strategic meetings
and task forces such as Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) and Vehicle Theft
Suppression and Enforcement Team (VSET). Modern communication platforms are
utilized for near real-time inter-agency coordination on crime alerts.
Problem-Oriented Policing: Two officers have been reassigned from patrol duties to
address the root causes of crime, leading to more effective and targeted crime
prevention strategies.
Community Education: The "If I Were a Thief" program and the use of publishing
software for safety materials have significantly educated the public on crime
prevention. A high level of public engagement assisted with providing the public
with direct access to staff to answer questions at community events, business
meetings, and even small events hosted in residents living rooms. Police staff never
turned down an invitation to meet with the public.
Strategic Direction 4: Crime Prevention and Resolution
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Strategic
Plan
I N T E R N E T C R I M E S A G A I N S T C H I L D R E N (I C A C ) T A S K F O R C E C O M P L E T E D A W E E K -L O N G O P E R A T I O N A T D A N V I L L E
P D , R E S U L T I N G I N T H E A R R E S T S O F S E V E R A L P E O P L E I N T E N D I N G T O M E E T M I N O R S F O R S E X I N E A R L Y 2 0 2 4
T H E T O W N O F D A N V I L L E H O S T S S P E C I A L I Z E D F O R M A L T R A I N I N G I N T H E C O M M U N I T Y R O O M . B Y O F F E R I N G
T R A I N I N G L O C A L L Y , M O R E S T A F F M E M B E R S C A N P A R T I C I P A T E I N E A C H S E S S I O N .
O F F I C E R W I L L I A M S U S I N G T H E “K E Y ” T O P R A C T I C E
O P E N I N G T H E N E W T R A I N I N G D O O R .
N E W 4 0 0 S Q F T G Y M F O R A L L T O W N E M P L O Y E E S T O
U S E T O W O R K O N P H Y S I C A L F I T N E S S
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Seven Years
Over the past seven years, the Danville Police Department has excelled in community
engagement, crime prevention, traffic safety, and operational efficiency. Here are the key
achievements:
Crime Safety: The department has achieved case closure rates 2-3 times the national average
for Part 1 Crimes, seeing the lowest Part 1 (Homicide, Rape, Robbery, Aggravated Assault,
Burglary, Theft, Vehicle Theft, and Arson) crime rates since incorporation. Danville was
recognized as California's safest city by sites like PropertyClub and SafeWise.
Traffic Safety: Recorded the five lowest collision years in 20 years, with an annual average of
264 collisions from 2017 to 2024, below the 20-year average of 335.
Pandemic Response: Focused on education and prevention, maintaining order with minimal
enforcement.
Protest Management: Managed weekly protests for a year, from small to large groups of over
3,000, with no arrests, damage, or injuries, showcasing effective community engagement.
Public Engagement:
In-Person: Staff always met with the public to discuss safety concerns.
Social Media: Expanded presence on platforms like Facebook, Nextdoor, Nixle, and added
Instagram.
Podcasting: Launched "10-8 In Service," a weekly podcast on YouTube and Facebook,
enhancing community relations with over 200 episodes.
Police Facility Design: Redesigned the new Police Department to ensure smooth operations
including the area for processing arrested individuals and installation of a physical barrier at
the front counter to protect the staff.
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New Chief of Police
CONTACT US
925-314-3700
www.danville.ca.gov
500 La Gonda Way
Danville, CA 94526
T h o m a s B . R o s s b e r g , I n c o m i n g C h i e f o f P o l i c e
The Town of Danville is pleased to announce the appointment of Lieutenant Thomas B.
Rossberg as its new Chief of Police. With over two decades in law enforcement, Chief
Rossberg has held various leadership roles, including serving as an investigations
supervisor while assigned to Lafayette.
Chief Rossberg is familiar with Danville, having served as an officer from 2011 to 2015 in
roles like K9 handler, patrol officer, and field training officer. His recent position in Contra
Costa County's Emergency Services Division, where he managed programs like the
Community Warning System, will add significant value to the Danville Police Department.
He previously led the West County Detention Facility, overseeing over 100 sworn and
professional staff.
Known for his leadership, Chief Rossberg is committed to enhancing community relations,
operational efficiency, and public safety. With a strong focus on community involvement,
he aims to ensure Danville remains a safe and vibrant place for all.
DANVILLE POLICE
The Danville Police Department works in partnership with our
diverse community to safeguard the lives, rights, and property of the
people we serve. With unwavering dedication we provide innovative
professional law enforcement services to our community. We
accomplish this mission by maintaining our Core Values while always
conducting ourselves with the highest ethical standards.