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Alamance County authorizes sheriff to seek off‑duty officers for behavioral health center security; municipal participation uneven
Summary
Commissioners approved a resolution allowing the sheriff to enter agreements to bring off‑duty officers from other agencies to staff the county behavioral health/diversion center, funded by RHA. Discussion highlighted that the 16‑bed unit remains partially closed due to licensing and that some cities have not agreed to participate.
Alamance County commissioners unanimously approved a resolution authorizing the sheriff to enter into memoranda of understanding with other law‑enforcement agencies to allow their officers to work off‑duty at the county’s behavioral health/diversion center.
Staff said the measure is intended to address persistent staffing shortfalls at the center by giving visiting officers territorial jurisdiction on a non‑emergency basis; the off‑duty positions would be funded through RHA rather than county payroll. “The point of this resolution is to basically authorize the Sheriff to enter into an agreement with the other law enforcement agencies to bring their folks in, to work off duty,” a staff member said.
Commissioners and other speakers pressed a range of operational concerns. Several officials said the center’s planned 16‑bed unit is not yet operating because of licensing and that, despite a June 19 ribbon cutting, only part of the facility is open. One commissioner said municipalities including Burlington and Graham had not agreed to participate; another commissioner clarified that Elon University or Elon (entities mentioned in the meeting) were discussed separately and that participation will be finalized by each agency’s governing board.
Commissioner comments emphasized the risk to hospital emergency rooms and the need for broad participation: “Mental illness doesn’t come on one particular address,” a commissioner said, urging municipalities and councils to support the center. Law‑enforcement representatives and the sheriff’s office said chiefs have met but some agencies declined to join; staff noted the agreements still require ratification by each participating jurisdiction.
The board approved the resolution by voice vote. Staff said the MOU would include indemnification and that each agency would contract separately with RHA for off‑duty assignments. Commissioners asked staff to continue outreach to municipal leaders and JAC (Joint Advisory/steering groups) members to resolve nonparticipation and to report back on capacity and licensing barriers.
Next steps: finalize MOU language, seek ratification from partner agencies, and report updates on bed licensing and staffing.
