Madison highlights ARRIVE mental-health co-responder program, cites drop in crisis calls and zero use-of-force incidents

Madison Police Chief Bishop told the borough council that Madison’s participation in the ARRIVE (Alternative Responses to Reduce Instances of Violence and Education) program has reduced repeat mental‑health crisis calls and lowered use‑of‑force incidents.

Chief Bishop said ARRIVE pairs a Mental Health Association clinician with a police officer on certain crisis calls and that Madison joined a multi‑town pilot after county prosecutors expanded the program. He told the council the initiative is fully funded by a Department of Human Services grant, with no cost to participating towns.

Bishop described two parts of the program: an on‑scene response where a clinician works alongside an officer when the scene is safe, and a follow‑up process in which clinicians check on residents after an…