Somerville Police Launch Mental Health Co-Response Pilot Program

SOMERVILLE, MA — The police department recently launched its Co-Response Pilot Program, an initiative that pairs police officers with a public health professional to respond to calls involving individuals who may be experiencing a mental or behavioral health crisis.

The pilot program provides a real-time co-response model in which a co-responder from the Community Outreach Help and Recovery program accompanies SPD officers on certain calls. The co-responder will be available during two four-hour blocks each week and will respond to predetermined 911 call types involving mental health concerns, substance use, welfare checks, and various conflicts or disturbances.

"The launch of this pilot is the result of years of intense community and cross-departmental work that identified a need and sought to address it," Mayor Jake Wilson said. "At the root of the program is a desire to make sure our community members are safe and connected to the care they need."

During co-response hours, SPD officers may also request the public health professional at their discretion if they determine additional support would be beneficial after evaluating a scene.

After officers determine a scene is safe, the co-responder may assist by speaking with the individual in crisis, gathering information to help determine next steps, and coordinating immediate care when necessary. The co-responder may also help connect individuals experiencing addiction or behavioral health challenges with follow-up services through COHR and other community partners.

While the co-responder is not on duty, SPD officers will continue relying on crisis intervention and de-escalation training when responding to mental or behavioral health emergencies. COHR may also continue providing follow-up support after an incident, and officers can refer individuals directly to the program for additional services.

The pilot program builds on recommendations from the city's Public Safety for All initiative, a multi-year effort led by the Department of Racial and Social Justice to reimagine public safety in Somerville. It also expands upon COHR's existing jail diversion program, which embeds social workers and public health professionals within the Police Department.

"The implementation of the co-response pilot is a direct response to our community recommendation to advance alternative responses to mental health crises," Police Chief Shumeane Benford said. "This initiative builds on COHR work, as well as SPD Crisis Intervention Training, to help us continue growing our department's ability to plan safe, impactful response options."

As the pilot operates under its initial limited schedule, SPD and COHR will collect data on how frequently the service is utilized and evaluate its effectiveness. City officials said the information gathered during the pilot will help determine whether a permanent and expanded co-response program should be established.

"I'm excited to move this to the next phase swiftly and smartly," Wilson said. "The point here is to test, learn, get our responders familiar with new systems, and then deliver more fully on this long-held community goal."

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