Title
Presentation of Recommendation from the Law Enforcement Transparency and Accountability Commission (LETAC)
Presenter:
Janice Frazier, Chair, LETAC
Steve Kern, Vice Chair, LETAC
Yolanda Avila, Councilmember District 4
Randy Helms, Councilmember District 2
Wayne Williams, Councilmember At-Large
Body
Summary:
The term Crisis Response refers to calls for service from interdisciplinary teams of law enforcement officers, medical personnel, and mental health professionals trained in crisis intervention. The City of Colorado Springs first implemented an approach to crisis response in 2014 and has since expanded the program three times. The City's current program is a collaboration among the Fire Department, Police Department, and Diversus Health, funded by the City's General Fund and various grants.
Recommendation: Expand the City's use of Crisis Response Teams (CRT) to meet the needs of the City of Colorado Springs.
Goals: Based on a) presentations from CSPD, CSFD, and Diversus Health; b) review of CRT models of other jurisdictions; c) research collected and summarized by the National Alliance of Mental Illness and Crisis Intervention Team International; d) input from Colorado Springs residents and relevant organizations; and e) the personal experience and professional expertise of Commission members, LETAC identifies the following goals for expansion of the City's use of Crisis Response Teams:
1. Expand CRT coverage (e.g., 24/7 coverage, additional shifts and/or teams, new models, etc.) so that Crisis Response services are more available as appropriate to Colorado Springs residents.
2. Decrease reliance on police officers as sole responders to mental health crises.
3. Reduce use of force by police officers.
4. Increase safety to police officers and other first responders.
5. Provide intervention and treatment to residents in need of mental health services who may not have been previously identified.
6. Create more reliable funding so that CRT op...
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