Police get help on mentally ill

The Police Department has been awarded a $40,000 state grant to strengthen its ability to work with people with mental illness. The Jail Diversion Grant, awarded through the state Department of Mental Health for next fiscal year, will further the Police Department’s collaboration on mental health initiatives with two area agencies, Elliot Community Human Services and Riverside Community Care. Part of the funding will be used to expand a program in which a clinical counselor based out of the Police Department helps officers in cases involving people with mental illness. Funding will also be used to create a critical incident team of 10 officers who will each receive 40 hours of high-level training in working with people who may have various types of mental illness. The intent of both programs is to “assist individuals with mental illness who may be otherwise exposed to the criminal justice system,’’ said Police Lieutenant Craig Calabrese. - John Laidler