SHERIFF’S OFFICE LAUNCHES CRISIS INTERVENTION UNIT

SHERIFF’S OFFICE LAUNCHES CRISIS INTERVENTION UNIT

April 20, 2021

El Paso, TX – Sheriff Richard Wiles and the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office in partnership with Emergency Health Network have established a Crisis Intervention Unit to respond to incidents involving a mental health crisis.

The unit is made up of three teams, and since April 12, 2021, one deputy and a clinician respond to calls involving mental illness servicing all of the unincorporated areas of El Paso County.

The Crisis Intervention Unit is trained to recognize mental illness, to enhance their verbal crisis de-escalation skills, and to provide a more streamlined access to community-based mental health services.

“When citizens call the police for a loved one or individual suffering from a mental health crisis, they expect a response that will provide protection from harm and a path of treatment.” “These types of calls can be very challenging and should, when possible, be handled by mental health professionals.” – Sheriff Richard Wiles