Police and Crisis Team to assess mental health on calls

MEDICINE HAT — Individuals who experience mental health, addiction or psychosocial crises and are at risk will now be identified for treatment by a Police and Crisis Team (PACT).

PACT, a partnership between Alberta Health Services (AHS) and the Medicine Hat Police Service (MHPS), pairs a mental health clinician and a police officer who both attend emergency calls to provide a shared response to assist individuals in crisis.

The purpose of PACT is to steer individuals with mental illness or addiction issues away from the justice system and toward the most appropriate community services and resources to stabilize them.

“Research has shown we can reduce the incarceration and recidivism of people with addictions or mental illness by linking them to appropriate services and supports in the community,” says Trevor Inaba, Executive Director, Addiction and Mental Health, South Zone for AHS. “With appropriate early interventions we are more likely to see successful outcomes.”

“Often, individuals with mental illness or addictions come to the attention of police for a variety of different reasons including minor and non-criminal activities,” says Medicine Hat Police Chief Andy McGrogan. “Now, we have an additional tool at our disposal to work with this vulnerable population and to get them the help they need. In many cases, the justice system is just not the appropriate place for these individuals.”

In 2016, the MHPS responded to about 1,200 calls related to mental illness or addictions. By having a mental health specialist attend these calls with police, clients immediately receive a mental health assessment, and the team determines the most appropriate course of action. Teams also provide assertive community outreach to the vulnerable homeless population by building a rapport with individuals and connecting them with appropriate community services.

It is a goal of both MHPS and AHS to work together to insure appropriate, safe, and coordinated interventions and care for vulnerable citizens of our communities.

The mission of the Medicine Hat Police Service is to serve and protect our community with pride through professional and progressive policing. Its number one priority is community safety. Mental health diversion is a key initiative to enhancing community safety, as outlined by the MHPS 2015-2018 Strategic Business Plan.

Alberta Health Services is the provincial health authority responsible for planning and delivering health supports and services for more than four million adults and children living in Alberta. Its mission is to provide a patient-focused, quality health system that is accessible and sustainable for all Albertans.

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