Lee’s Summit highlights police co-responder program to handle rising mental-health calls

Lee’s Summit police and co-responder staff told the City Council and the public that the department’s co-responder program pairs specially trained officers with licensed mental-health professionals to respond to an increasing number of behavioral-health calls.

The program exists so mental‑health professionals “can interact with that citizen and get them the help they need right there on that scene,” a presenter said during public comment, adding that co‑responders are “either a bachelor or master level in a behavioral health related field” and “wear plain clothes. They don't carry weapons.”

The presenters said mental‑health related calls have increased in recent years; they cited 722 calls in 2020 and 1,479 calls in 2022. The co‑responder described arriving after officers have secured a scene, introducing herself and offering support: “My name is 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.”

Officials said co‑responders perform safety planning (including identifying support people and removing access to sharps or medications), can escort people for medical evaluation when appropriate, and follow up with clients after the initial contact to connect them to ongoing services. The presenters said the program’s goals are to connect people to services and to divert them from emergency rooms and jails.

Council members and staff did not take a formal vote on the presentation. Presenters emphasized how to request a co‑responder: callers to 911 can ask specifically for one to be dispatched to a crisis.

The program, as described at the meeting, is housed within the police department and intended to change how residents perceive police response to behavioral health emergencies by bringing clinicians to the scene.

For residents in crisis or contacting emergency services, the presenters said to request a co‑responder when calling 911.