Mental health crisis team will join police on some calls under pilot project
'We recognize that uniformed police officers aren't always the best option,' said Chief Mark Neufeld
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A new approach headed by a community organization is set to transform how Calgary police respond to situations involving people in crisis.
The Calgary Police Service has partnered with The Alex Community Health Centre to lead the community mobile crisis response pilot, which was announced earlier this year. The project, to be tested over the next 12 months in east Calgary’s police district No. 4, will see community-based teams responding to mental-health, addictions and other calls on social issues rather than police.
“We recognize that uniformed police officers aren’t always the best option for those experiencing a mental-health or addictions crisis,” said Chief Mark Neufeld.
The pilot will initially consist of a team of two specialized support workers, employed by The Alex, working Wednesday to Sunday from 10 a.m. to 2 a.m. with a goal of eventually expanding to 24/7 coverage. Over the first three to six months of the pilot, the team will be accompanied by a police officer.
“We will provide a service that is trauma-informed, equity-based and person-centred, ensuring that calls with a mental-health focus are addressed by those who are appropriately trained to respond,” said Joy Bowen-Eyre, CEO of The Alex.
The move is the latest in recent efforts by the city and CPS to improve supports for Calgarians in crisis. In February of this year, Calgary’s 911 operators began directing calls for mental-health, addiction and other social issues to 211, Distress Centre Calgary. By June, that program had resulted in 211 staff diverting 248 calls away from police, instead connecting callers with appropriate resources.
Mayor Jyoti Gondek said the program offers an opportunity to “transform how Calgarians are supported during a period of crisis” and alleviate call demand for police.
“The community mobile crisis response pilot is designed to fill existing gaps in Calgary’s current crisis response model by providing an alternative to those in need of urgent support due to a non-emergency, mental or emotional distress, or conflict,” said Gondek.
The city and CPS have allocated $2.5 million for the pilot through the Community Safety Investment Framework, a $16-million funding pool split between the two organizations that was announced last June.
Neufeld said District 4 was chosen for the pilot project due to The Alex already being established in the community, as well as high volumes of mental-health calls in the area.
The pilot is anticipated to begin operating in the coming weeks.
Twitter: @michaelrdrguez
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