Advancing Public Safety through Training and Collaboration

Stacey Lea Flanagan, Director of Health and Human Services

Stacey Lea Flanagan, director of health and human services at City of Jersey City has over 25 years of management experience in nonprofit and government agencies, including The U.S. Peace Corps. She has rooted her career deeply in public safety and health, inspired by her grandfather, a New York City police officer. This lineage has fueled her lifelong commitment to ensuring the safety and health of others, evolving into an integrated approach to public safety that combines public health initiatives with safety nets.

A graduate of Michigan State University with a BA in Political Science, and holding an MSc in Nonprofit Management from Milano, Flanagan has recognized the interconnectedness of issues like addiction, drug use and street safety with broader public health goals. Her advocacy also spans to emergency preparedness, emphasizing the crucial importance of readiness for environmental challenges such as hurricanes. Flanagan’s work is a testament to her dedication to fostering a safer, healthier community through comprehensive, well-coordinated public safety and health initiatives.

In an interview with Govt CIO Outlook, Flanagan focus on the importance of integrating mental health training, community resources and a multi-sector approach to enhance public safety.

Understanding the Public Safety Landscape: Tackling Public Violence and Mental Health Concerns

From my perspective, public violence emerges as a major pain point, representing a significant public health issue. The link between threats to public safety, mental health concerns and violent incidents is undeniable—many of which could be mitigated if public health and preventive measures were more prioritized.

“Programs like Mental Health First Aid are crucial, as they aid in understanding the perspectives of those who may be victims or survivors of incidents requiring public safety intervention. Such awareness is vital; without it, public safety professionals may struggle to provide the necessary support effectively.”

To effectively address this issue, it is essential to equip our police officers and firefighters with appropriate training. Programs like Mental Health First Aid are crucial, as they aid in understanding the perspectives of those who may be victims or survivors of incidents requiring public safety intervention. Such awareness is vital; without it, public safety professionals may struggle to provide the necessary support effectively.

Given this context, enhancing the knowledge of public safety professionals about potential mental health issues is increasingly important. Implementing comprehensive programs focused on mental health and emergency preparedness is crucial. This strategy should emphasize community policing, where police officers are thoroughly trained to engage effectively with the community, even on previously unfamiliar issues.

Initiatives and Technologies in Action: Enhancing Police Training with Mental Health First Aid

Here in Jersey City, we are committed to enhancing the capabilities of our police officers through an eight-hour certification course called Mental Health First Aid. This program not only serves as an additional certification but equips our officers with vital tools to better perform their duties. We recognize that many officers may not have received this kind of training in the past and we understand the challenges they face in their work. By offering this training, we acknowledge these challenges and provide support, empowering our officers to address any gaps in their knowledge and skills.

Envisioning Public Safety’s Future: Building on Community Policing and Training

Let me take you back to 1999, when I worked for a local nonprofit in New York City that was contracted by the Atlanta Department of Corrections. Our mission was to train police officers on improving engagement with youth and reducing judgment towards them. This initiative was the beginning of a comprehensive community policing vision for the city of Atlanta.

Community policing is a concept that many local police departments and city police organizations are genuinely interested in. However, realizing this vision requires more than just the standard training received at police academies. It involves additional strategies to ensure that officers are well-informed about local community resources. In Jersey City, for example, we facilitate this through a partnership with Findhelp.org, an online platform that offers a zip code-based method for accessing community resources.

We extend this training to our city council as well because police officers are highly trusted within the community. The information provided by an officer carries significant weight, underscoring the importance of community policing. This approach leverages the respect and trust officers garner to extend the reach of essential information and support throughout the community.

Advice for Industry Peers: Embracing a Multi-Sector Approach and Leveraging Community Resources

Every community, city, and municipality should embrace a multi-sector approach to public safety. This strategy advocates that the responsibility for public safety should not fall solely on the shoulders of public safety agencies. It should also include sectors like emergency preparedness, community development and housing (HUD). Essential to this approach is the collaboration with other government partners for resources, as well as with community organizations that are actively engaged in improving local conditions.

To support this, we have implemented a database that puts resources at our fingertips. In today’s digital age, where the internet provides 24/7 access to information, there is an expectation that everyone should have all the knowledge they need at all times. However, it's important to acknowledge the limitations we face. By working within these boundaries and using the available tools effectively, we can better support and serve our communities.