THOMPSON, HUFFMAN ANNOUNCE $166,875 DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE GRANT AWARDED TO THE CITY OF SANTA ROSA

Washington - Today, Representatives Mike Thompson (CA-04) and Jared Huffman (CA-02) announced that the City of Santa Rosa has been awarded a $166,875 microgrant by the Department of Justice Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) program to improve officer recruitment, retention, and workforce diversity at the Santa Rosa Police Department.

"This $166,875 grant will provide much-needed support for the Santa Rosa Police Department," said Rep. Thompson. "I was glad to join Rep. Huffman in supporting this grant so that the Santa Rosa Police Department has the resources it needs to foster a more diverse and inclusive workforce and better serve our community."

"The Santa Rosa Police Department is prioritizing its relationship with the community and the safety of the public," said Rep. Huffman. "The funds from the Department of Justice will allow for Santa Rosa to more quickly enhance its capabilities in de-escalation tactics and crisis response, while building a police department more transparent and representative of the community."

"At the Santa Rosa Police Department, we are thrilled to receive the Officer Recruitment and Retention and Workforce Diversification Microgrant. This funding will allow us to actively recruit underrepresented groups, enhance our applicant engagement processes, and empower our female officers through valuable training opportunities. By investing in diversity and inclusion, we are not only strengthening our department but also better serving our community. As our Chief of Police, I have made it a priority to reduce barriers in the application process so we can focus on recruiting the most qualified staff. Together, we can create a more equitable and effective law enforcement agency," said Santa Rosa Police Department Chief John Cregan.

The Santa Rosa Police Department faces significant challenges in recruiting qualified candidates to fill open law enforcement positions, leading to delays in responding to community needs. This funding will help the department reach its goal of hiring a well-qualified workforce that reflects its community. The proposed initiative aims to increase the number of qualified applicants from underrepresented groups, including women and people of color, and enhance SRPD's ability to recruit candidates with specialized skills, such as language proficiency and experience working with diverse populations. By prioritizing diversity in recruitment efforts, SRPD seeks to build trust and strengthen relationships with all residents, ensuring equitable access to law enforcement services.

Funding from the COPS microgrant will support various initiatives, including:

• Sworn officer overtime for attending recruitment events targeting underrepresented groups.
• Production of a recruitment video tailored to attract female applicants.
• Acquisition of InterviewNow software to streamline applicant engagement.
• Attendance at the Women Leaders in Law Enforcement Conference and Women's Leadership Institute leadership training to empower and support female officers.

Through these targeted efforts, SRPD aims to not only address its recruitment challenges but also cultivate a workforce that is representative of the diverse communities it serves, ultimately promoting public safety and community well-being.