During National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week, the Tampa Police Department and the Crisis Center of Tampa Bay announced a new program aimed at reducing officer dispatched calls related to people undergoing a behavioral health crisis. This initiative is a collaborative effort between law enforcement and mental health professionals to better serve individuals in crisis situations and improve community safety.
The program involves having crisis intervention specialists stationed at the Tampa Police Department’s dispatch center to handle calls regarding these crises. According to Clara Reynolds, President and CEO of the Crisis Center Tampa Bay, the program targets calls where individuals are in crisis but do not have a weapon, are not in a domestic violence situation, and do not involve substance use.
After being transferred by a 911 dispatcher, an intervention specialist will speak with the caller to deescalate the situation and connect them to community resources. Calvin Johnson, deputy chief of the Tampa Police Department, emphasized the importance of finding a better way to handle calls involving individuals with mental health issues to prevent tragic outcomes such as officer-involved shootings.
The program is expected to begin in June or July pending the hiring of staff. This initiative represents a significant step towards improving public safety by providing specialized support for those in crisis situations.
