Officers with the Waycross Police Department will soon be aided by a trained professional when encountering a mental health issue on a call.
WPD and Unison Behavioral Health have agreed on a co-responder program in an effort to better handle incidents in the comm unity that have a mental health component. Police Chief Tommy Cox detailed the alliance last week for the Waycross City Commission.
Chief Cox said Unison will have an office at the police department staffed by one of its professionals, weekdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
“Having that resource available will be a great thing for us,” he told commissioners at their work session Monday, February 16. “Right now, the process isn’t very efficient.”
Chief Cox said should an officer respond to a call they feel may be aided by a person trained in mental health, the Unison staffer will be taken to the scene.
“If (officers) encounter what they feel may be a suicidal threat or any sort of crisis with mental health, we’ll now have someone to help de-escalate a situation based on their training and knowledge.”
Chief Cox also said the professional on the scene will facilitate the process of getting care for the person or persons involved. Heretofore, a criminal act had to be part of the situation to transport someone.
“This connects us on the scene to get an individual help in immediate fashion,” the chief said.
Commissioner William Simmons said he witnessed an incident a few weeks ago where the presence of a mental health professional would’ve been beneficial.
“I think this is an excellent idea,” he said. “This would’ve made a difference (in that incident) even when your officers did an excellent job.”
Commissioner Shawn Sanders asked about the liability of the mental health professional being in the field with the officers.
Chief Cox said before any of the Unison staff members occupies the role at WPD they sign a work document releasing the city of any liability. He also added the program will be at no expense to the city and entered into through a Memorandum of Understanding that’s HIPPA compliant.
Chief Cox said he will work on the MOU with City Attorney Cheslyn Green for consideration and approval by Unison and commissioners.
