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<br />SURPRISE POLICE DEPARTMENT
<br />
<br />INDIVIDUALS WITH MENTAL ILLNESS OR IN CRISISOPS-24
<br />
<br />EFFECTIVE LAST REVISED NEW REVISED CALEA PAGE
<br />DATE DATE DATE STANDARDS MET
<br />1 of 21
<br />10-21-11 10-12-17 YES
<br />08-04-04
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<br />I. PURPOSE
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<br />The purpose of this policy is to provide guidance to Surprise Police Officers
<br />when responding to or encountering situations involving individuals displaying
<br />behaviors consistent with mental illness or in crisis.
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<br />II. POLICY
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<br />A. The policy of the Department is to protect individuals with mental illness or
<br />who are in crisis from harming themselves, others, or property.
<br />Oftentimes, officers come into contact with individuals who may be
<br />mentally ill or in crisis and it is important that Department members
<br />respond accordingly to minimize confusion and stress. The behavior that
<br />the individual exhibits may be due to any number of factors, including
<br />alcohol/drug dependency, emotional trauma, PTSD, or some other form of
<br />mental illness. Regardless of the reason, the primary concern of the
<br />officer coming into contact with such an individual is for the safety and
<br />welfare of that individual, the community, and the officers.
<br />B. The Surprise Police Department is committed to providing holistic service
<br />options to all members of our community, including individuals with mental
<br />illness or in crisis, in a manner consistent withour obligation to ensure the
<br />protection of constitutional rights and the safety of all. As part of the
<br />holistic approach by SPD, when calls are received by members of the
<br />Communications Section that involve individuals who may potentially have
<br />a mental illness or in crisis, the member will evaluate the situation to
<br />determine if the individual would benefit most from response by an officer,
<br />response or outreach by a mental health resource such as Mercy
<br />Maricopa Integrated Care, or both. While some situations may require
<br />response by an officer, other situations may be better treated and
<br />resolved by a response from a mental health professional.
<br />C. Mercy Maricopa Integrated Care (Mercy Maricopa) is the Regional
<br />Behavioral Health Authority (RBHA) for Maricopa County and contracts
<br />with a variety of community agencies to provide both crisis services and
<br />longer-term outpatient services for behavioral and physical health
<br />needs.
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<br /> Law enforcement and community members may contact the
<br />Maricopa Crisis Line at 602-222-9444 or 1-800-631-1314, 24
<br />hours a day, 7 days a week for assistance with individuals with
<br />mental illness or in crisis, and in locating resources.
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