Police-Mental Health Collaboration Programs: A Different Way of Policing

Hosted by The Council of State Governments Justice Center, with funding support from the U.S. Department of Justice’s Bureau of Justice Assistance

Law enforcement agencies have used police-mental health collaboration (PMHC) programs to help officers safely and effectively respond to calls for service involving people with mental illnesses for decades. This webinar provides an overview of PMHC programs—collaborative partnerships among law enforcement agencies, mental health providers, and other community-based entities—and features two Justice and Mental Health Collaboration Program (JMHCP) grantees whose programs effectively respond to people with mental illnesses.

San Marcos (TX) Police Department Corporal Sam Myers discusses the San Marcos Mental Health Officer (MHO) Program, which uses a mental health officer as the liaison between law enforcement, people in need of mental health services, and the rest of the community.

Additionally, El Dorado County (CA) Sheriff’s Office (EDSO) Sergeant Michael Yarbrough shares information on the county’s Crisis Intervention Team Management Model.

Moderator:  

• Nicola Smith-Kea, Senior Policy Analyst, CSG Justice Center

Presenters:  

• Michael Yarbrough, Sergeant, El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office
• Sam Myers, Corporal, San Marcos Police Department