Chicago's Non-Police Crisis Response Units
8 hours ago
Mayor of Chicago Brandon Johnson discusses the city's new policy to replace police officers with crisis mental health relief counselors for mental health-related calls. Johnson explains that the Crisis Assistance Response and Engagement (CARE) program deploys teams consisting of EMTs and mental health professionals. These teams can be requested through 911 for situations where a compassionate expert is needed to de-escalate and provide care.
Johnson emphasizes that while the idea of sending counselors instead of police officers for mental health crises has merit, there is concern about safety without law enforcement presence. He notes that while many cities use a co-responder model with trained officers and mental health professionals, Chicago's approach eliminates police presence altogether. Johnson raises concerns about potential violence and the ability to appropriately screen situations to avoid sending the wrong responders into harm's way.
Jason Johnson, president of the Law Enforcement Legal Defense Fund and former deputy commissioner of the Baltimore Police Department, adds that mental health crises are often co-morbid with substance abuse and homelessness. He argues that allowing individuals to remain on the streets exacerbates their mental health issues and makes the community more dangerous. While acknowledging that police respond to too many mental health-related calls, he stresses the importance of responder safety and suggests that mental health experts should accompany police to take the lead when appropriate.
Johnson emphasizes that while the idea of sending counselors instead of police officers for mental health crises has merit, there is concern about safety without law enforcement presence. He notes that while many cities use a co-responder model with trained officers and mental health professionals, Chicago's approach eliminates police presence altogether. Johnson raises concerns about potential violence and the ability to appropriately screen situations to avoid sending the wrong responders into harm's way.
Jason Johnson, president of the Law Enforcement Legal Defense Fund and former deputy commissioner of the Baltimore Police Department, adds that mental health crises are often co-morbid with substance abuse and homelessness. He argues that allowing individuals to remain on the streets exacerbates their mental health issues and makes the community more dangerous. While acknowledging that police respond to too many mental health-related calls, he stresses the importance of responder safety and suggests that mental health experts should accompany police to take the lead when appropriate.
