Police Department Launches CARE Team In Effort To Address Mental Health

GURNEE, IL — The Gurnee Police Department recently launched the CARE Team, a unit designed to provide specialized support to community members experiencing mental health crises.

The CARE, which stands for Crisis Assistance & Response Engagement, team pairs a licensed clinical social worker with a police officer to respond collaboratively to calls involving individuals in crisis.

This team-based approach aims to reduce the stigma surrounding mental health, mitigate fears associated with law enforcement contact, and ensure a coordinated response and follow-up for those in need, according to a news release.

Key functions of the CARE Team include:

• Responding to calls for service involving individuals experiencing a mental health crisis, including those with mental illness, intellectual or developmental disorders, or housing insecurity.
• Conducting follow-ups, both at home and via phone, to connect individuals and families with community resources.
• Collaborating with local service providers to improve outcomes for community members and develop innovative strategies for crisis response.

A Police Social Worker on the CARE Team may provide crisis intervention and de-escalation services, connect families to county social service providers, support officers on mental health-related calls, assist crime victims or families during fatal events, facilitate officer wellness training, and provide short-term stabilization counseling when appropriate.

The Gurnee Police officer assigned to the CARE Team is Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) trained, a designation earned through a 40-hour intensive program that equips officers with specialized skills to safely and effectively interact with individuals experiencing mental health crises.

The CIT training covers:

• Recognizing signs and symptoms of mental illness
• De-escalation techniques to safely manage crisis situations
• Connecting individuals to community-based treatment and resources
• Understanding the impact of trauma on individuals and families

“Over 30 Gurnee officers have been trained in CIT principles and have been responding to mental health incidents for several years,” said Chief Jeremy Gaughan. “The CARE Team formalizes and enhances this approach, combining the expertise of a trained officer with the guidance of a licensed social worker to better serve our residents in moments of crisis.”

The Gurnee Police Department is committed to providing compassionate, effective, and coordinated services to the community. The CARE Team represents an innovative model that strengthens community trust, supports mental health, and ensures individuals in crisis receive timely and appropriate assistance.

Gurnee residents may request information or services from the CARE Team by visiting the Village of Gurnee website: https://www.gurnee.il.us/government/departments/police-department/community-involvement/CAREteam.