Bend, Ore. – The City of Bend Police Department has formed a new service with the intent of helping community members through difficult times, specifically mental health crises.
The new Community Response Team started in November of 2015. The mission of the Community Response Team is to protect and serve by reaching out with our community partners to help those facing a mental health crisis by offering a variety of mental health resources and support.
The Community Response Team is and will continue to develop positive relationships with our community partners and those in need of mental health services to accomplish this goal.
Working proactively with citizens regularly suffering from mental health distress is important with the Community Response Team. We understand that a mental health crisis does not only affect the individual, but also families of the affected individuals and other community members.
Our partnerships in the community are with Deschutes County Parole and Probation, Sage View, Shepard’s House, The Bethlehem Inn, Central Oregon Veterans Outreach, Deschutes County Mental Health, Deschutes Recovery Center, St Charles Medical Center, Deschutes County District Attorney’s Office and the Deschutes County Mental Health Court Program.
This team is comprised of Sergeant Liz Lawrence, Officer Faith Wiles and Officer Kecia Weaver. We are proud of the job they are doing, bettering the lives all community members of Bend.
