New Engagement Guidelines for Police with Homeless, Mentally Ill
TL/DR –
The Orange County Sheriff’s Department has introduced a new screening process for 911 calls, where callers are asked to answer a series of questions to determine whether a deputy or a mental health expert will respond. The initiative is part of a broader push by the Sheriff’s Department and the Orange County Health Care Agency to separate criminal matters from social issues, and to better direct resources in response to mental health crises. The process is expected to be more cost effective and safer for residents, but it is not anticipated to immediately reduce the number of deputies responding to calls.
Orange County 911 System Introduces Mental Health Screening
Orange County Sheriff’s Department has started asking callers specific questions when they dial 911. This move is aimed at determining whether a deputy or a mental health expert is needed onsite.
Callers will be asked if the person in question is in immediate danger, committing a crime or if weapons are involved. Responses will help decide if the situation requires police intervention or mental health assistance.
This new screening method is part of a broader initiative by the department and the Orange County Health Care Agency to delegate police work to traditional crimes and social work to those in crisis.
The Sheriff’s Department’s Behavioral Health Bureau, which was established a few years ago, focuses on responding to mental health-related calls. It’s not yet clear whether this new screening process will impact the bureau’s workload.
Mental Health in Law Enforcement
Veronica Kelley, head of OC Health Care Agency’s Behavioral Health Division, notes that this evolution doesn’t mark a significant shift in their routine but further deepens their relationship with the Sheriff’s Department. She acknowledged that although law enforcement officers are trained to handle various situations, they’re not mental health clinicians.
Across the nation, law enforcement agencies are finding ways to reduce violence in encounters with mentally ill individuals without resorting to arrests or incarceration. For instance, since 2021, Orange County cities like Irvine, Anaheim, and Huntington Beach have collaborated with Be Well, a nonprofit that provides mental health professionals to assist officers.
Changes in Law Enforcement Practices
Yet, some cities have increased their law enforcement responses to social crimes. For example, in San Francisco and parts of Los Angeles, laws against public vagrancy and city ordinance 41.18 are being more strictly reinforced.
In Orange County, Santa Ana’s City Council directed police to enforce laws synonymous with homelessness and mental illness, such as public intoxication. The city is also encouraging police to provide support for individuals to find shelter or get sober.
Impact of the New 911 Screening
The new 911 screening process is expected to have a significant impact. Orange County Sheriff’s Department serves 13 cities and covers roughly a quarter of the county’s 3.1 million inhabitants. Each year, they receive around 10,000 calls related to mental health and homelessness.
Experts suggest that allowing police to concentrate on traditional crime and connecting mental health experts to social issues is more beneficial and cost-effective. However, the screening process wouldn’t necessarily decrease the number of deputies dispatched for aid.
While the system is still new, it’s expected to help guide more suitable responses to various situations, enabling law enforcement to better protect their communities.
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