A Debate on the Impact of Co-Responder Programs | Pros and Cons

Today’s Brief:

• Co-Responder Briefs

• Crisis Training Helps Tupelo Officers Save Student in Bridge Incident

• Maui Police Graduate 22 in Crisis Intervention Training to Strengthen Mental Health Response

  Total Read Time: 2 Minutes

👮 Co-Responder Briefs

JPD’s Co-Responder Unit Saves $950K Yearly With New Approach

Joplin Police Department’s co-responder unit—pairing behavioral health specialists with officers—has significantly reduced jail bookings, hospital transports, and police time spent on mental health incidents, saving the city an estimated $950,000 annually . It’s an example of how integrating mental-health professionals into police responses can both improve care for individuals in crisis and cut municipal costs.

PermiaCare Launches Co-Responder Program to Boost Mental Health Crisis Response in Midland, Odessa

PermiaCare is teaming up with the Midland County Sheriff’s Office and Odessa Police to launch a co-responder program funded by Texas Senate Bill 292, embedding mental health experts alongside officers on crisis calls . The initiative expects to serve about 950 people annually, aiming to de-escalate situations, divert individuals from jails and hospitals, and foster community trust through proactive outreach.

Plan to Phase Out South West Co-Responder Service Criticized

Health trust leaders in the South West of England have proposed scrapping a co-responder service that pairs volunteer community responders with emergency services, citing cost-cutting efforts . Critics warn the change would remove a valuable, low-cost layer of assistance, typically costing around £60 per call and could lead to slower emergency response times for people in non-critical crises.

👮Crisis Training Helps Tupelo Officers Save Student in Bridge Incident

At Tupelo High School, Corporals Jay Marshall and John Price used their Crisis Intervention Training (CIT) to help safely de-escalate a situation involving a student threatening to jump from a bridge. Using techniques focused on empathy and communication, the officers spent about 20 minutes calming the student before successfully guiding her to safety and connecting her with medical professionals. The incident showcased the value of school resource officers building strong, trusting relationships with students.

Captain David Harville, who teaches CIT, emphasized that while officers aren’t clinicians, the training helps them stabilize crises until professionals can take over. Mississippi now mandates CIT training for agencies with five or more officers, with free 40-hour courses available. Officers say the program helps them save lives and deepen their role in the community.

👮 Maui Police Graduate 22 in Crisis Intervention Training to Strengthen Mental Health Response

The Maui Police Department recently graduated 22 new participants, both officers and civilians, from its Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) program, bringing the total number of trained individuals to 280 since the program began in 2013. The 40-hour training equips participants to de-escalate mental health crises and connect individuals with appropriate care, reducing the risk of violence or unnecessary incarceration.

This cohort included representatives from diverse local organizations such as Job Corps Maui, Kamehameha Schools, and the Maui AIDS Foundation. Led by Dr. Alicia Rodriguez, the course featured real-world scenarios and instruction from multiple agencies across the behavioral health spectrum. The CIT initiative, part of the department’s CORE unit, is the first of its kind in Hawaii and continues to expand its reach post-COVID. The program reflects a growing commitment to safer, more compassionate crisis response across the community.