Fairfield is a town in Fairfield County along the Gold Coast of Connecticut and is part of the Greater Bridgeport Planning Region with a population of 61,512.
The Town of Fairfield intends to implement several key initiatives to enhance their crisis response efforts.
First, they plan to purchase two unmarked vehicles equipped with police radio and mobile dispatch terminals. One vehicle enables the Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) to provide services using her own vehicle rather than a marked police car, promoting a more approachable and less intimidating presence. The second vehicle facilitates plain-clothes Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) officers to accompany the social worker on higher risk service needs. Separate vehicles are necessary to isolate protected information. Additionally, they plan to offer overtime for off-duty CIT follow-ups and LCSW escorts.
The Town of Fairfield aims to support quarterly meetings of the Fairfield Police Behavioral Health Network to continue to grow the network in hopes to offer the most extensive and comprehensive wraparound services to the consumer. These gatherings not only enhance service accessibility and streamline processes but also promote knowledge sharing of emerging trends and available resources among members.
Finally, in recognition of the importance of ongoing training and quality improvement, the Fairfield Police Department is dedicated to maintaining CIT training in 20%-25% of its patrol force. This commitment ensures the officers are equipped with the necessary skills to effectively respond to mental health crises and provide comprehensive services to the community. Cohort 2023.
Program Goals
- Enhance community support and safety by implementing measures to improve the delivery of services related to mental health and crisis intervention
- Promote a more approachable and less intimidating presence during CIT calls for service
- Allocate overtime funding for off-duty CIT follow-ups and LCSW escorts which will demonstrate a commitment to extending support beyond regular duty hours, ensuring assistance to those in need
- Support quarterly meetings of the Fairfield Police Behavioral Health Network to foster collaboration and growth within the network, enhancing service accessibility, streamlining processes, and promoting knowledge sharing among members
- Maintain CIT training in 20%-25% of the patrol force to reflect that officers are equipped with the necessary skills to effectively respond to mental health crises and provide comprehensive services to the community
Key Partnership Organizations
Fairfield Police Department | Fairfield Police Behavioral Health Network | Connecticut Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services | The Greater Bridgeport Community Mental Health Center | The Child and Family Guidance Center | Mobile Crisis Intervention Services | Operation Hope | Fairfield Senior and Social Services
Learn More
Fairfield Police Department (Connecticut) (fpdct.com)
Fairfield police start mental health network to fill service gaps (ctinsider.com)