OPP MCRRT Press Release

January 27, 2017

From/De: County of Brant OPP DATE: January 27, 2017

County of Brant OPP Partner With St. Leonard’s Community Services and Launch the Mobile Crisis Rapid Response Team

(COUNTY OF BRANT, ON) – The County of Brant Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) and St. Leonard’s Community Services (SLCS) have partnered and launched the Mobile Crisis Rapid Response Team (MCRRT) to the County of Brant. The MCRRT is a program that combines resources of both organizations to better serve residents of the County of Brant experiencing mental health crisis.

MCRRT provides an enhanced police / mental health professional collaborative response to individuals who may find themselves in a mental health crisis situation. This joint initiative, funded through the Safer and Vital Communities grant provided by the Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services put forth by the Brant County OPP and St. Leonard’s Community Services is aimed at addressing gaps in existing crisis response and services. The program is supported by the Brant Community Healthcare System and the County of Brant Police Services Board.

Too often, there are individuals who come to the attention of the police and emergency room personnel at a point where hospitalization or incarceration are seen to be the only options to intervene.

MCRRT pairs a trained police officer with a mental health specialist who work together in response to individuals experiencing mental health crisis. It's a pro-active first responder approach in attempting to engage with an individual to assess their needs while also ensuring that the individual is connected with the appropriate support services within the community.

“This MCRRT partnership will provide a more effective response to members of our County of Brant community who are experiencing a mental health crisis. Officers and mental health specialists can collaboratively respond to incidents of people in crisis, safely de-escalate the situation and provide them the appropriate care and services that they require,” comments Inspector Pete LIPTROTT, Brant County OPP Detachment Commander.

“St. Leonard’s Community Services is very excited to enhance our relationship with the Brant County OPP and the Brant Community Healthcare System. This partnership will help us to provide the right service, at the right time and in the right place, for individuals experiencing situational crisis. Together with the Brant County OPP we can ensure that we provide follow up support and connect the individual to the appropriate services offered by St. Leonard’s Community Services, the Brant Community Healthcare System and our other community partners,” comments Anne COOMBE, Director of Clinical Services, St. Leonard’s Community Services.

"In the past, all of our organizations worked independently to support individuals experiencing a mental health crisis. With this new collaborative approach we are better able to put the client's needs first," says Lina RINALDI, Chief Nurse Executive and Chief Operating Officer with the Brant Community Healthcare System.

“Personally, I have been looking forward to this much anticipated joint MCRRT mental health strategy for the County of Brant since this program was presented to the County of Brant Police Services Board. Placing a mental health specialist with a police officer in response to individuals in crisis will provide a more effective, efficient, and supportive response to these incidents. This MCRRT initiative has proven to be effective in other jurisdictions and the County of Brant Police Services Board looks forward to the positive impact this will have in our community,” comments County of Brant Police Services Board Chair John BURROUGHS.

Anyone with information about any incident in the County of Brant can call the County of Brant OPP at 1 (888) 310-1122. Should you wish to remain anonymous you can call Crime Stoppers at 1 (800) 222-8477 (TIPS) or leave an anonymous online message at Crimestoppers Brantford where you may be eligible to receive a cash reward of up to $2,000.

Contact: P/C Ken Johnston

Phone: 519-442-2242

Email: ken.johnston@opp.ca 

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