We’ve heard from many of our local CPD officers that mental health plays a large role in many calls for emergency help. A new pilot program to quickly identify these situations is finding success.
COLUMBUS – Columbus city officials say a six-week pilot program aimed at reimagining police response to 911 callers suffering from mental health and addiction issues yielded promising results.
Data collected over a span of 72 operation hours in June and July showed more than 60% of the calls received didn’t require immediate police or fire dispatch.
Nearly half of those calls were either fully resolved by the group of mental health professionals and dispatchers or were redirected to local community services.
“There is no ‘one-size-fits-all approach” to public health and safety. We must expand our resources and expertise to better reflect the needs of our community and ensure that even more people are receiving the right care in the right amount of time,” Mayor Andrew Ginther said as he released the results of the pilot program alongside City Council President Shannon Hardin.
“This pilot led to more follow-up for residents in need of resources, no one going to jail, and a better deployment of taxpayer dollars,” Hardin said.
The program grouped a “triage pod,” consisting of a paramedic, public health clinician, and dispatcher, together to review the best response to non-emergency 911 calls.
Of the calls received by the pod during the hours studied between June 7 and July 2, 62.5% did not require an immediate police or fire dispatch, and when law enforcement responded, the pod communicated de-escalation and pre-arrival information to the first responders to help ensure a successful result.
Plans are underway to expand the program.