What Police Departments Can Learn from Waco

When someone calls 911 during a mental health or overdose crisis, getting the right response can save a life.

In Waco, Texas, law enforcement and behavioral health partners are working together to improve crisis response, give police officers more time to focus on serious crime, and connect people to the care they need. In 2025 alone, Waco diverted around 1,303 calls, helping ensure people experiencing behavioral health challenges received the response that best matched their needs.

In this new video interview, the CSG Justice Center’s Ernest Stevens—from the award-winning HBO documentary “Ernie & Joe: Crisis Cops”—sat down with Waco Police Chief Sheryl Victorian to discuss the city’s innovative crisis call diversion program, what it takes to build an effective crisis system, and lessons other communities can apply.

“We can’t do this by ourselves in policing, and behavioral health providers cannot do it by themselves either,” said Chief Victorian, who also serves on the CSG Justice Center’s board. “We need a shared commitment to public safety, a humane response, and long-term system connection.”

Watch or listen to the full conversation below: