Peace officers: mental health liaisons.

Assembly Member Castillo's mental health support initiative for California peace officers would allow local governments to designate existing mental health professionals as dedicated liaisons for law enforcement personnel. The measure responds to documented evidence that law enforcement officers experience higher rates of mental health challenges than the general population due to routine exposure to traumatic events.

The bill authorizes counties and municipalities to appoint one or more current employees with counseling or mental health expertise to serve as specialized liaisons facilitating mental health services for officers within their jurisdictions. These liaisons would work specifically with peace officers to address profession-specific mental health needs. According to the bill's findings, many officers currently avoid seeking mental health support due to stigma, confidentiality concerns, and fears about career impacts.

By utilizing existing staff resources rather than creating new positions, the measure enables local governments to implement mental health support systems without additional appropriations or mandated spending. The bill's authors note that untreated mental health conditions among officers can affect decision-making during critical incidents and impact public safety operations. The liaison program aims to create dedicated channels for officers to access mental health resources through professionals familiar with law enforcement challenges.