21-043 RESOLUTION NO. 21-043
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
SOUTHLAKE, TEXAS, APPROVING THE CITY OF
SOUTHLAKE MENTAL HEALTH LEAVE FOR PEACE
OFFICERS POLICY AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE
DATE.
WHEREAS, the City of Southlake (the "City") previously adopted personnel
policies; and
WHEREAS, the City wishes to adopt the Mental Health Leave for Peace Officers
Policy; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
SOUTHLAKE, TEXAS, THAT:
Section 1. The City of Southlake hereby approves and adopts the following personnel
policy that has financial implications, a copy of which is attached as Exhibit "A":
Mental Health Leave for Peace Officers Policy
Section2. That this resolution is in effect upon passage and adoption by the City
Council effective October 1, 2021.
PASSED AND APPROVED THIS THE aI DAY OF
, 2021.
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MENTAL HEALTH LEAVE FOR PEACE OFFICERS
Purpose. The purpose of this policy is to provide guidance in accordance with Section
614.015 of the Texas Local Government Code, as amended, regarding paid mental health
leave for peace officers.
Eligibility. This policy applies to all sworn Peace Officers employed by the City of
South lake.
Definitions. The following definitions apply to this policy:
Chief. The Police Chief (or designee) or Fire Chief (or designee). If the employee
is in the Police Department, Chief refers to the Police Chief (or designee). If the
employee is in the Fire Department, Chief refers to the Fire Chief(or designee).
Mental Health Leave. Administrative leave with pay granted in response to a
traumatic event that occurred in the scope of the peace officer's employment.
Mental Health Professional. A licensed social or mental health worker, counselor,
psychotherapist, psychologist, psychiatrist, or other medical professional.
Peace Officer. An individual described by Article 2.12, Code of Criminal Procedure,
who is elected for, employed by, or appointed by the City.
Traumatic Event. An event that occurs while on duty and in a peace officer's scope
of employment involving extreme injury, near death, death of an individual, or other
event identified by the Chief. The event may cause the officer to experience
unusually strong emotional reactions or feelings which have the potential to
interfere with their ability to function during or after the incident.
Policy. Mental health leave is intended to provide Peace Officers who experience a
traumatic event while on duty with time away from work to receive professional assistance
in dealing with the traumatic experience.
a. Request for Leave. A peace officer may submit a request to use mental health
leave. The request shall be made through the chain of command. The Chief will
approve or deny the leave request no later than 24 hours following the request.
b. Duration of Mental Health Leave. A Peace Officer directly involved in a traumatic
event may request up to three (3) working days of mental health leave.
Mental Health Leave for Peace Officers Page 1
CITY OF
SOUTHLAKE
c. Extension of Mental Health Leave. An extension of mental health leave may be
available under certain circumstances. A peace officer may request in writing to
the Chief for an additional three (3) working days of mental health leave when
recommended by a mental health professional. The request shall be accompanied
by documentation from a mental health professional treating or counseling the
officer. The Chief may grant the extension upon receipt of sufficient documentation
and after consultation with the Director of Human Resources.
d. Confidentiality. Requests for mental health leave shall be treated as strictly
confidential by all parties involved. They shall not be discussed or disclosed
outside the officer's immediate chain of command and only as necessary to
facilitate the use of the leave. The hours away from work will be noted on the
timesheet as leave with pay, to provide anonymity. Any breach of this
confidentiality shall be grounds for discipline.
Confidentiality may be waived by the officer seeking mental health leave.
Confidentiality may be waived under circumstances that indicate the officer is a
danger to themself or others.
e. Mental Health Services. Peace Officers who experience a traumatic event are
encouraged to seek assistance through departmental programs, the City's
employee assistance program, or other resources. Contact Human Resources to
learn more about the employee assistance program.
Approval and Effective Date. City Council approved this policy on September 21, 2021
by Resolution No. 21-043, and it is effective retroactively to September 1 , 2021.
Mental Health Leave for Peace Officers Page 2