Somerville Pairing Police Up With Mental Health Professionals

SOMERVILLE, MA — The city will launch a new mental health response program that will partner up with the police department.

The Co-response Pilot Program will pair Somerville police officers with public health professionals when they respond to situations involving people in mental health crises. The presence of the professional is meant to facilitate the de-escalation of situations and thereby improve the chances of survival for all parties involved.

The program builds on recommendations from the City’s Public Safety for All process, a multi-year initiative led by the Department of Racial and Social Justice to improve public safety in Somerville.
“Police officers are not always the best first responders for mental health emergencies, and they know that too,” Police Chief Shumean Benford said.

Recently, the city also hired a Public Safety For All manager.