Building New Bridges – Behavioral Health & Law Enforcement

Across the United States, at least 20% of police calls for service involve a mental health or substance use crisis (see Building Mental Health Into Emergency Responses). But in some communities, that number can be far higher. Frederick Harran, Director of Public Safety for Bensalem Township in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, estimates that at least 80% of the crime his police department deals with is drug-related. Now more than ever, police departments are looking for expertise outside their wheelhouse and seeking meaningful partnerships with behavioral health provider organizations to address the crises they have to grapple with on a daily . . .