Law enforcement agencies should engage in multidisciplinary, community team approaches for planning, implementing, and responding to crisis situations with complex causal factors.
4.3 Law enforcement agencies should engage in multidisciplinary, community team approaches for planning, implementing, and responding to crisis situations with complex causal factors.
SPPD partners with community resources to respond to crisis
The Saint Paul Police Department partners extensively with other agencies and created a mental health crisis intervention team. This team uses a collaboration of law enforcement and public health resources to address complex situations involving persons in mental health crises to avoid dangerous escalations in response to enforcement-based approaches and provide long-term resources to some of the most vulnerable and complex members of our community.
In 2017, the department established a fulltime officer to focus on the issue of mental health and working with people before they reach the point of crisis. This program expanded in 2018, with the addition of three more officers. In 2019, it expanded further into the Community Outreach and Stabilization Team (COAST). This specialized team continues to grow our long established practice of working with community partners while also working to reduce the number of times those who suffer from mental illness encounter officers while in crisis. In addition, the COAST unit has a Recovery Access Program (RAP) providing assistance to persons experiencing chemical dependency as well as a Police Homeless Outreach Program (PHOP) helping to find housing for those experiencing homelessness.
Police calls involving mental health have doubled. St. Paul now devotes a unit to them
Pioneer Press / Mar 31,2018
Task Status: Established Practice
4.3 Law enforcement agencies should engage in multidisciplinary, community team approaches for planning, implementing, and responding to crisis situations with complex causal factors.
SPPD partners with stakeholders to resolve crisis needs
The Saint Paul Police Department partners with numerous non-government service providers, charitable organizations, churches, health organizations and business foundations to facilitate a multifaceted approach to problem solving.
Task Status: Established Practice
4.3 Law enforcement agencies should engage in multidisciplinary, community team approaches for planning, implementing, and responding to crisis situations with complex causal factors.
SPPD partners with Ramsey County Mental Health
The Saint Paul Police Department recognizes the volatile nature of calls involving persons experiencing a mental health crisis and that these calls statistically involve the need for officers to use physical force to stabilize the scene and protect life. The protection of life is always a paramount goal and investing in technology to saves lives remains a priority.
In 2016, Saint Paul Police patrol sergeants and other officers in specialized units were equipped and trained in the use of less-lethal technology. The goal of this program is to avoid the need to use force that may take a person’s life. We have continued to train our officers in de-escalation, bias and less lethal options.
Program established 2016
Ramsey County tries new approach for some 911 crisis calls
Pioneer Press | Feb. 29, 2016
Task Status: Established Practice
4.3 Law enforcement agencies should engage in multidisciplinary, community team approaches for planning, implementing, and responding to crisis situations with complex causal factors.
SPPD partners with community resources to respond to crisis
To ensure effective response to the vast array of social needs that confront our community, the Saint Paul Police Department uses the “East Metro Community Resource Directory,” published by First Call for Help.
Police officers are often required to respond to situations where all or a portion of the services required are best provided by a social service agency. Some instances will be complex and require both a police and social service response.
In cases of domestic violence, the abuser may be arrested while the victim(s) would best be served by referral to a crises shelter or counseling service. To help facilitate an effective response, the Saint Paul Police Department uses the “East Metro Community Resource Directory,” published by First Call for Help.
Domestic violence prevention program has success in St. Paul
FOX 9 | Oct. 21, 2017
St. Paul's 'Blueprint' program credited with drop in domestic violence calls
WCCO-TV | Jan. 12, 2017
Reference Data
Task Status: Established Practice
4.3.1 The U.S. Department of Justice should collaborate with others to develop and disseminate baseline models of this crisis intervention team approach that can be adapted to local contexts.
SPPD Response
Not applicable for local law enforcement.
Reference Data
Not Applicable
Task Status: Not Applicable
4.3.2 Communities should look to involve peer support counselors as part of multidisciplinary teams when appropriate. Persons who have experienced the same trauma can provide both insight to the first responders and immediate support to individuals in crisis.
SPPD is committed to officer and community wellness
The Saint Paul Police Department has operated a police chaplain program since 1968, which serves both department employees as well as the general public in times of need.
Reference Data
Task Status: Established Practice
4.3.2 Communities should look to involve peer support counselors as part of multidisciplinary teams when appropriate. Persons who have experienced the same trauma can provide both insight to the first responders and immediate support to individuals in crisis.
SPPD is committed to victims of violent crime
The Saint Paul Police Department values a close partnership with Survivor Resources, a non-profit organization that provides immediate and long-term services to families who have experienced the loss of a loved one through homicide, suicide, accident or overdose.
Staff from Survivor Resources maintain their office within the police department and can provide immediate services through referrals from the department’s homicide unit. Long-term support includes weekly support groups with trained facilitators who have experienced loss themselves. Services are funded by private and in-kind donations and state and federal grants and provided free of charge to participants.
Reference Data
Task Status: Established Practice
4.3.3 Communities should be encouraged to evaluate the efficacy of these crisis intervention team approaches and hold agency leaders accountable for outcomes.
SPPD Response
Community action item.
Reference Data
Not Applicable
Task Status: Not Applicable