Columbia Heights is a city in Anoka County, Minnesota, with a population of about 20,000.
In 2022, Columbia Heights Police Department (CHPD) launched its first crisis intervention program. In partnership with Canvas Health, a local health resource provider, two mental health clinicians serve as co-responders with police officers to those in crisis and in need of resources. The clinicians work alongside the police to de-escalate situations and to connect individuals in need with appropriate resources. Cohort 2021.
Program Goals
With funding from the grant, CHPD employed one of the two co-responding clinicians. Through its CIT program, CHPD seeks to accomplish the following goals:
- Decrease officer use of force
- Decrease transport holds
- Increase community trust
Key Partnership Organizations
Canvas Health
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Columbia Heights Police Department
Columbia Heights Police Department Training
We are getting the right care for someone in crisis.
Eileen Sowry
Embedded Mental Health Professional, Columbia Heights Police Department