Item 23 - Agreement with Forensic Nurse Specialists, Inc.

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Police Department www.santa-ana.org/pol ice Item # 23 or City of Santa Ana 20 Civic Center Plaza, Santa Ana, CA 92701 Staff Report December 19, 2023 TOPIC: Agreement with Forensic Nurse Specialists, Inc. AGENDA TITLE Approve an Agreement with Forensic Nurse Specialists, Inc. for Sexual Assault Victim Exams and Evidence Collection Services (General Fund) RECOMMENDED ACTION Authorize the City Manager to execute a five-year agreement with Forensic Nurse Specialists, Inc. for the period of December 19, 2023 through August 31, 2028, to provide sexual assault victim examinations and evidence collection services for the Santa Ana Police Department in an amount not to exceed $350,000, subject to non - substantive changes approved by the City Manager and City Attorney (Agreement No. 2023-XXX). GOVERNMENT CODE 484308 APPLIES: Yes DISCUSSION The Santa Ana Police Department's Special Crimes Section investigates sexual assaults against adult victims. A critical component of these investigations is the forensic examination a victim undergoes to gather evidence of the assault and provide the victim with healthcare services. The Santa Ana Police Department has contracted with Forensic Nurse Specialists, Inc. (FNS) since January 2000 for these services. FNS is the sole source provider for these services in Orange County, and no specific registries utilize forensic nurses solely for exams. FNS nurses have training and expertise in forensic examinations and are competent in the California State protocol established by Cal OES (California Office of Emergency Services). FNS provides their services 24 hours a day, seven days a week. FNS collects evidence during the examination and packages, labels, and seals it according to the state and local Orange County Crime Lab requirements. FNS nurses are expert witnesses and testify in court upon receipt of a subpoena by the District Attorney's Office.