WCSO 2021 Annual Report - Flipbook - Page 11
Interview with
MHRT Sgt. Greener
Why did you want to be part of this team?
When the team began, I initially served the community
as an MHRT substitute [filled-in when the primary MHRT
deputy was away]. Last year I applied to be the team
sergeant and began working in that role in August
2021. I’ve watched the team evolve over the years and
see the dual approach of deputy and clinician to be
highly beneficial and a model that should be considered
nationwide. The deputies have the unique opportunity
to work with a clinician in a collaborative effort to
meet the community’s needs. This assignment allows
the opportunity to receive advanced training in crisis
intervention and expand those skills with the real-life onthe-job application. Services and crisis response solutions
are needed more than ever in our community.
What types of issues has the team seen in 2021?
We have seen an increased need for an in-person response because many individuals may have had difficulty accessing regular health support services during
COVID-19. Even with MHRT expanding its hours, we are
still experiencing more calls for service, which increases
follow-up calls. Follow-up calls are an essential part of
how we serve the community – they provide an opportunity to connect those experiencing a mental health crisis
with support and resources. As part of the follow-up, the
MHRT team can build rapport with individuals while connecting them to necessary services. An ongoing connection and relationship are critical to helping those in need.
How does law enforcement support community
members experiencing a mental health crisis?
When people call for help, not everyone is open to talking
with a deputy or a clinician, so the dual partnership allows
us to work together to best address the individual’s needs.
We meet individuals where they are. Keeping people
safe is critical, crisis intervention is vital, and the solution
is different for each individual. The team’s purpose is to
keep people out of the criminal justice system. Using the
teams’ skills and resources to place individuals where
they need to be is the best way to resolve the issue,
and sometimes to walk away is the best solution. Often,
individuals experiencing crisis have not committed a
crime but can benefit from additional support. MHRT can
check if the individual has had prior law enforcement
contacts to ensure they are working to intervene with the
client in the best possible direction. This team approach is
robust and would not work without deputy and clinician
skills combined.
Law enforcement officers not only provide an element
of safety while on MHRT, but they also contribute their
training, insights, and experience interacting with the
public on their worst days. At times officers may have
more involvement than a clinician, depending on the
safety risk factors for the individual call. They may play
a key role in de-escalating a potentially dangerous
situation. The partnership between officers and
clinicians allows for the opportunity to balance and
coordinate their communication efforts, de-escalation
abilities, intervention tactics, all while providing a safety
component to those involved. Together, both bring
their unique skills to any situation. Because each call is
nuanced and unique, the team navigates and adapts to
each situation, with each team member contributing their
skills in a meaningful way to help find a safe resolution.
Deputies on the Mental Health Response Team not only provide an element of safety while on the team, they also contribute
by bringing their training and experience. The partnership between deputies and clinicians allows for the opportunity to
balance and coordinate their communication efforts, de-escalation abilities, intervention tactics, all while providing a safety
component to everyone involved. Learn more at bit.ly/MHRT_WCSO.
WCSO 2021 Annual Report | 9
