The Charlotte Mecklenburg Police Department announced that the agency’s Community Policing Crisis Response team will begin its first day in the field Saturday.
The response team is comprised of eight sworn police officers who have undergone crisis intervention training and six master’s level mental health clinicians. The purpose of the team is to provide assistance if someone is experiencing a mental health crisis.
However, if a person is in possession of a firearm, clinicians will not be called to scene until that person is disarmed.
Police Chief Kerr Puteny described this new team as a pilot he hopes will grow.
"As a profession though we see that there is a gap and we are trying to fill at best we can. And we are doing it with experts who have the training and experience who can do the work who can fill the gaps knowledge wise," Putney said.
CMPD says the Community Policing Crisis Response team will also follow up with cases and refer those in need to mental health services.
