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Council approves funding for second Frontier Health clinician to expand police co‑response
Summary
Council authorized an agreement with Frontier Health allowing Bristol to fund a second clinician in the police co‑response program at an expected cost of $96,848, using opioid‑abatement funds.
The Bristol City Council on Oct. 7 approved Resolution 25‑163 authorizing the city to enter an agreement with Frontier Health to expand its co‑response program by adding a second behavioral health clinician.
Police Chief Matt Austin told council the existing clinician, provided and funded by Frontier Health, has helped officers by assessing people in crisis and arranging direct admissions to treatment or diversion from arrest. "We would be doing this second position at an expected cost of $96,848," Austin said, adding the city would use opioid‑abatement funds to cover the expense.
Chief Austin and council described the program as a tool for reducing officer time spent on certain crisis calls, avoiding unnecessary hospital transports or arrests, and connecting residents to care. Austin offered field examples in which a clinician’s on‑scene assessment allowed people to be voluntarily admitted for treatment rather than taken to jail.
The resolution passed by roll call vote with all five councilmembers voting in favor: Acard, Turner, Fire Robin, Slagle and Powers. City staff said Frontier Health will continue to fund one clinician while the city funds the additional position to expand coverage; staff noted the goal of broader coverage in the future, potentially including weekends and 24/7 response.
