Police officers are increasingly tasked with responding to behavioral health (BH) crises in their communities. Police are often the first contact with the justice system for individuals experiencing crises related to mental health disorders (MHDs), substance use disorders, intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDDs), or traumatic brain injuries. Studies show that an estimated 6 to 10 percent of all police contact with the public in the United States involves individuals with serious mental illnesses.¹ With the prevalence of interactions between police and individuals experiencing BH crises, the need for crisis response programs and training has grown.  

Effective crisis response is a crucial part of many communities across jurisdictions, geographical locations, and population sizes. Policing agencies that partner with local BH organizations, hospitals, and other community stakeholders can better serve their communities by planning and implementing crisis response programs. Additionally, having easy access to crisis response training and curricula can reduce the administrative load for agencies looking to implement these programs.

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