Community Mobile Crisis Response Teams Pilot Project

Informed by benchmarking and research, the Calgary Police Service and The City of Calgary continue working together to transform the city’s crisis response system. Following extensive community engagement, a call has now gone out to local agencies to partner on new Community Mobile Crisis Response Teams.

Funded through the Community Safety Investment Framework (CSIF), the Community Mobile Crisis Response Teams will respond to people in need of urgent support due to mental or emotional distress, conflict or safety concerns. Teams of two civilian support workers will be dispatched through Distress Centre Calgary/211 and will provide trauma-informed care to people in need of support due to mental or emotional distress.

The Community Mobile Crisis Response Teams’ intent is to fill an identified gap in services in the crisis response system when a police response is not required but remains the only 24/7 service available. For the first three months of this six-month pilot project, CPS will provide officers as assistance to the mobile teams. 

Starting today, social agencies that have the ability and infrastructure to provide 24/7 crisis response that considers the diverse identities and needs of our city, are asked to submit a letter of intent. Additional details about the application process can be found here.

“Supporting the needs of those who reach out for help due to mental or emotional distress requires a coordinated effort from the community and government partners. This next step in transforming crisis response provides an exciting opportunity to partner with community agencies to create hope and strengthen support for Calgarians,” said Calgary Neighbourhoods Director Melanie Hulsker.

This fall, the Community Mobile Crisis Response Teams will be dispatched to calls in pilot communities where the greatest need has been determined, and where wraparound supports can better serve Calgarians who have reached out for help. By diverting calls from requiring a police response where none is required, officers can focus their time on crime prevention, community engagement and investigations. 

“There are many layers to supporting the overall crisis response Calgarians have asked for. We’ve told you about the recent successes of the Call Diversion and Co-Location project and this is taking that model one step further to ensure people get the help they need not only when they need it, but where, too,” said Calgary Police Service Chief Constable Mark Neufeld.

Following the pilot, the program will be assessed and may be expanded citywide.