Waterloo regional police pilot new 'crisis call diversion program'

A three-year pilot program, aimed at redirectingmental health crisis calls from a traditional police response tomore appropriate resources and support, has begun.

Police have partnered with the Canadian Mental Health AssociationWaterloo Wellington (CMHAWW) to embed an integrated mobile police and crisis team member at the Waterloo Regional Police Service (WRPS)to, when appropriate,divert crisis calls.

John Goodman, interim WRPS police chief,said in a news release that the program will help mental health professionals respond to callers in crisis to ensure "they get the most appropriate care when they need it" while also helping "prioritize policing resources for the most serious and emergent situations".

The news release also said mental health professionals "will assist individuals experiencing a mental health crisis by providing tools, resources, and referrals to community agencies, or by assisting them with navigating the mental health care system".

According to WRPS, officers respond to about 2,400 mental health related calls every year.