Education

UFPD co-responder program pairs officers with mental health clinicians on campus calls

The University of Florida Police Department launched its co-responder program in June 2022, embedding mental health clinicians alongside officers to jointly handle calls with a behavioral health component. During the most recent reporting year, the team responded to 163 such calls and was able to redirect individuals away from hospitalization toward less restrictive options 55% of the time. The department is highlighting the program’s expansion during Mental Illness Awareness Week, which runs October 4–10.

Sources: UF News