The marietta police department will use funds from the FY22 implementing crisis intervention teams- community policing development solicitation to develop and deploy a law enforcement-based…

The marietta police department will use funds from the FY22 implementing crisis intervention teams- community policing development solicitation to develop and deploy a law enforcement-based CO-responder team. CO-responder teams utilize the combined expertise of the officer and the behavioral health specialist or licensed clinical social worker to DE-escalate situations and help link individuals with behavioral health issues to appropriate services. The marietta police department will contract a behavioral health specialist or licensed clinical social worker to respond with the community response unit and in some cases, respond to calls where crisis intervention and services may be needed. The officers involved in the program will undergo crisis intervention training as well as additional behavioral health response training. The CO-responder team respond to a variety of situations. While the officer will ensure the safety of those involved, the behavioral health specialist or licensed clinical social worker will assist with connecting the individual in crisis with temporary housing, obtaining protective orders, addiction treatment and a variety of other services. A behavioral health specialist or licensed clinical social worker will also be able to provide on scene intervention for individuals experiencing a behavioral health crisis. The CO-responder model will allow officers and licensed clinical social workers to follow up on situations more easily, which does not always happen. Additionally, in the event that behavioral health intervention is needed, georgia law permits licensed clinical social workers to complete and sign 10-13 forms, good for 48-hours, for psychological evaluations. This will allow the CO-responder team to provide immediate stabilization in case of urgent medical need or behavioral health crisis, assessment, information, referral, advocacy & (in some cases) transportation to the next step in treatment. On scene, the CO-responder team will not only work to DE-escalate tense situations, but will also provide behavioral health screening and assessment, and referral to needed services. Outcomes can range from leaving the individual with necessary resources, transporting the individual to a local hospital or walk-in clinic, or providing support and resources for family members and others on-scene. The CO-responder model has seen success in similar local police departments to include the cobb county police department and the gwinnett county police department. Through the CO-responder team, the marietta police department seeks to improve services available and provided to citizens in crisis, but also to better serve the citizens of marietta. The CO-responder team will be better able to DE-escalate behavioral health crisis' and lessen the use of force on calls for service where a behavioral health crisis is a key factor in the incident.