Mobile Crisis Rapid Response Team
St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton and Hamilton Police have collaborated on a successful 16-month pilot project called the Mobile Crisis Rapid Response Team (MCRRT); the first-of-its kind in Canada. The team has announced that this exciting and effective partnership is now permanent. The MCRRT is made up of a uniformed police officer and a mental health worker as a rapid response option for calls involving people with a mental health issue or concern.
Hamilton Police Chief Glenn De Caire mentions the existing 17 year partnership with St. Joe’s and the Hamilton police through COAST (Crisis Outreach and Support Team). Chief De Caire also points out that the MCRRT offers a mental health professional in the cruiser with the uniformed police officer as a first response 9-1-1 option, as opposed to COAST being a second tier option.
St. Joe’s Mental Health worker, Sarah Burtenshaw discusses her role in MCRRT, stating she believes this program has been successful because it helps people in the right place, at the right time. Sarah mentions that police officers are there to keep those at the call safe and present different ways to approach and defuse the problem, allowing the mental health professional to use their skills and expertise appropriately.
The officers on the team are required to take training that includes Crisis intervention training, Safe Talk training, and Assist training. There are also officers who come from Niagara, Halton, and Brantford to participate. The training includes educating the officers to notice the cues on when to intervene, descalate and control the situations.