Police department describes co‑responder program aimed at de‑escalating mental‑health crises

Lee's Summit police officials and co‑responder staff briefed the Finance and Budget Committee on Oct. 6 about the department's crisis intervention work and its co‑responder program, which pairs officers with licensed behavioral health professionals to respond to mental‑health calls.

A police presenter explained the department "did initiate the crisis intervention team program" to train officers for de‑escalating crisis situations and said co‑responders are licensed, qualified mental‑health professionals who now respond alongside officers "so they can interact with that citizen and get them the help they need right there on that scene." The presenter added that co‑responders "wear plain clothes. They don't carry weapons or anything like that."

One co‑responder identified herself as Allison and described arriving after officers have secured a scene to build rapport and offer support. "Like, hey. You know, my name's Allison. I'm a mental health professional. I'm here to help you. I'm not here to take you to jail or arrest you," she said. Allison described conducting safety planning, connecting callers with family or community supports, helping with medication questions and arranging referrals. She said the team aims to divert people from emergency rooms and jails and to connect them to ongoing services.

Presenters told the committee the city has seen a rise in mental‑health related calls for service: staff cited 722 such calls in 2020 and 1,479 by 2022. The department said it has increased the number of crisis intervention officers and co‑responders accordingly and advised the public that callers may request a co‑responder when dialing 911.

Committee members did not take formal action on the briefing; the presentation was informational.