The fairbanks police department (FPD) will use FY24 pact funding to embed a peer support specialist to support the agency's CIT efforts

The Fairbanks Police Department (FPD) will use a $320,613 Project Grant award from the U.S. Department of Justice's Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) program under CFDA 16.710 to embed a peer support specialist to support the agency's Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) efforts. The funding will enable FPD to have 100% CIT-trained officers who can collaborate more effectively with mental health providers, such as the existing civilian Mobile Crisis Team, to serve individuals in crisis. The project aims to ensure officers are knowledgeable about the Alaska Native indigenous population and best practices for communication, as well as provide an innovative approach to address the resource needs of individuals navigating the justice system and the department's public safety objectives. The award period is from October 1, 2024 to September 30, 2026.

FPD recognizes the need to have a police force that is 100% CIT trained who can collaborate more effectively with mental health providers, such as the existing civilian mobile crisis team, to serve individuals in crisis. IT is essential that officers are knowledgeable about the alaska native indigenous population and best practices for communication. Embedding a peer support specialist to support FPD in helping individuals navigating the justice system will be an innovative approach to address both the individuals resource needs and the departments needs to provide public safety.