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Police describe co‑response pilot and steps to reduce police involvement in non‑violent mental‑health calls
Summary
MCPD and crisis‑center staff described a co‑response pilot, crisis‑intervention teams, hazards tagging in CAD to limit routine patrol responses, and regular coordination with HHS to divert non‑violent cases to clinical teams.
Montgomery County police and crisis‑response staff told the committees they are taking steps to divert non‑violent behavioral‑health calls from patrol whenever appropriate.
Sergeant Skidmore (MCPD Scribe Response Team supervisor) described how the specialized response team reviews calls for history of violence and coordinates with the Scribe Center and MCOT for follow‑up. "That requires myself plus my 5 team members to look at the calls, make sure there's no history of violence, and then contact the scribe center," he said. Captain Kathy Estrada, director of the county’s Crisis Response and School Resources Division, described paperwork and division name changes that delayed an MOU but said the MOU is now with the county attorney and Office of Labor Relations for review.
Police described operational tools used to reduce unnecessary patrol responses, including 'cat hazard' flags in CAD to avoid non‑life‑threatening responses when a case is already managed by behavioral‑health partners. Officers and MCOT staff said collaboration and ride‑along opportunities improve coordination, and the co‑responder pilot introduced in August is beginning to produce early data for evaluation.
