Joining Mayor Leiron Gaylor Baird (at podium) at a news conference announcing the Co-Responder Program were, from the left, Malone Center Executive Director John Goodwin, City Councilwoman Sändra Washington, CenterPointe Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Tami Lewis-Ahrendt, Lincoln Police Chief Michon Morrow and Lincoln Police Captain Ben Kopsa. (Courtesy of City of Lincoln)
LINCOLN — Mental health professionals will start accompanying Lincoln police officers on calls involving people having a mental health crisis under a new program announced Tuesday.
The Co-Responder Program is a partnership between the Lincoln Police Department and CenterPointe. It is to be funded the first three years by a $550,000 Bureau of Justice Assistance grant and $221,278 from the City of Lincoln’s general funds.
Officials called the program an innovative solution to the complex challenge of mental health.
Lincoln Mayor Leirion Gaylor Baird said it was a “shining example” of agencies joining forces to get the most appropriate and effective care to people in need. She was joined at a news conference by Lincoln Police Chief Michon Morrow, CenterPointe Chief Operating Officer Tami Lewis-Ahrendt and others.