Law enforcement agencies across the country are increasingly serving as the primary point of contact for individuals experiencing diagnosed or undiagnosed mental health conditions or behavioral health distress. At the same time, there has been a national focus on evolving policing models to better serve individuals from marginalized and underrepresented communities. In response, many jurisdictions have adopted co-responder models, pairing law enforcement with mental health professionals to improve outcomes during crisis situations.
The UFPD implemented its Co-Responder Program in June 2022, becoming one of the first campus police departments in the country to deploy this model in a comprehensive way. UFPD also consulted with peer institutions such as Oregon State University, Cornell University, and the University of Colorado Boulder during program development.
The program pairs a Crisis Intervention Team (CIT)–trained officer with a Master’s-level mental health clinician to jointly respond to calls involving individuals experiencing a behavioral health crisis. This team-based approach emphasizes communication, de-escalation, and on-scene clinical assessment, while connecting individuals to appropriate resources and exploring alternatives to arrest, use of force, or hospitalization when appropriate.
When implemented effectively, the co-responder model provides several key benefits, including:
- More immediate and informed responses to crisis situations
- The ability to conduct follow-up with individuals and families to reduce repeat crises
- A reduction in unnecessary arrests and jail admissions
- Fewer avoidable psychiatric hospitalizations through improved on-scene assessments
UFPD has established a strong foundation for this program by ensuring that all sworn officers are Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) trained. This 40-hour training program includes both classroom instruction and scenario-based exercises, equipping officers with the skills needed to respond compassionately, effectively, and in the least intrusive manner possible.
Co-Responders
