Shawnee, Oklahoma, is a suburban city situated east of Oklahoma City and is home to several Native American tribes.
The Shawnee Police Department (SPD) employs CIT officers to respond to calls involving individuals in mental health crises, and they serve as liaisons between health care providers and mental health facilities. Cohort 2022.
Program Goals
With grant funding, the SPD plans to embed a licensed mental health counselor within the agency’s mobile crisis team with a strong focus on serving the needs of those experiencing homelessness.
The mobile crisis team responds to all 911 mental health-related calls and sets out to be proactive in contacting homeless individuals and checking on their welfare to assist them in receiving needed care. A mental health counselor with the team allows both the officer and counselor to contact an individual that may be reluctant to seek behavioral health services. Additionally, the agency intends to use funding to host crisis intervention training and de-escalation training to increase officer certification. Providing officers the tools to have a better understanding and stronger strategies when responding to individuals that are experiencing a mental health crisis are just some of the benefits. As often the first-contact, the agency plans for non-sworn civilian personnel, such as dispatchers and records personnel to attend crisis intervention and de-escalation training.
Key Partnership Organizations
Red Rock Behavioral Health Services