Fort St John RCMP to start mental health partnership program

Jun 25, 2022 | 11:56 AM

FORT ST JOHN — Starting Monday (June 27), mental health workers will attend mental health-related police calls with an officer, according to a news release from the Fort St John RCMP.

The Car 60 program has been operational in Prince George since 2015. In Prince George, it involves a plainclothes police officer and a psychiatric nurse responding to mental health related calls in an unmarked police car.

“The intersection between policing and mental health has been scrutinized in recent years,” said Inspector Anthony Hanson.

“By initiating the Car 60 program the Fort St John RCMP is attempting to meet the increasing demands while providing improved service to our community.”

The RCMP says that the pandemic as well as increased substance use has led to an increase in mental health related calls in the past three years.

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In 2021, Fort St John RCMP responded to 493 mental health calls. In the first five months of 2022, they’ve responded to 177 similar files.

By having a mental health professional attend the call, the RCMP say appropriate medical care can be provided and resources can be offered to the individual.

“The collaboration between police and mental health worker will potentially lower demand on finite police resources,” read the news release.

by Stephanie Swensrude

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Fort St John RCMP to start mental health partnership program

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