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The New Jersey Police Chief Magazine | November 2023
health topics and included both video and face-to-face training . MHA completed 44 after-action reviews with WOPD . This is when they watch bodycam footage of calls that occurred overnight or over the weekend when the Co-response program is not operating . These incidents reviewed are incidents where force was used or the call resulted in involuntary transport to the hospital . Of the 44 incidents reviewed only 1 resulted in a recommendation .
The History of the Connect & Protect Program In a 2017 article entitled “ Unique Partnership Receives Statewide Recognition for Innovative Program ” ( Fagan & Ryan ) the authors highlighted that the New Jersey Attorney General ’ s Office announced that the West Orange Police Department was awarded the Excellence in Policing : Community Partnership Award . The award honored a partnership that strengthens relationships and collaborates with community stakeholders to advance public safety . This prestigious recognition was presented to the WOPD for implementing a ground-breaking program where trained mental health clinicians were called upon to respond alongside officers on certain mental health crisis calls . The police department ’ s partnership with the Mental Health Association of Essex and Morris , Inc . ( MHAEM ) was an innovative approach to better serve the community in cases of non-criminal crises .
Through the development of a collaborative professional relationship between WOPD and MHAEM , police officers have had the opportunity to increase their success are for appropriate disposition and interaction with calls that may be related to mental health issues .
West Orange Police Chief James Abbott explained in the article how the program conforms to the mission of community policing , “ Our police department is constantly open to the implementation of new and different programs ... especially those types that reflect our ongoing commitment to find improved methods in keeping all our residents safe . Our goal has always been to de-escalate situations with new initiatives focusing on unnecessary force . Our participation in this collaborative effort holds promise for bringing us closer toward our objective .”
Captain Richard McDonald pointed out , “ In addition to in-person responses , trained clinicians review officer ’ s body cams and go over all the calls to address any areas that might need improvement .”
The partnership between the WOPD and MHAEM has helped prioritize appropriate response techniques and advocate for treatment over incarceration whenever appropriate . The WOPD is the sole nationally accredited law enforcement entity in all of Essex County . Accreditation by the Commission on Accreditation of Law Enforcement Agencies ( CALEA ), the gold standard in law enforcement which requires all accredited agencies to promote and abide by the most contemporary best practices in the industry .
Chief Abbott cited the extensive degree of community collaboration that allowed this trail-blazing partnership to come to fruition . “ West Orange Township Attorney Richard Trenk was the first to recommend working with MHAEM , based on his prior knowledge of the agency ’ s work in the community . Essex County Prosecutor Ted Stevens was critical in advancing the initiative for specifically granting the ability of MHAEM staff to review body camera footage . It was , within or at , his sole discretion to permit the practice which otherwise is prohibited by the New Jersey Attorney General . The approval and support of Mayor Robert Parisi and the Township Council were also essential to the process .
According to Davison , “ This partnership is something that just makes sense and , in my opinion , should be looked at as a model for municipalities throughout New Jersey and beyond . “ Law enforcement professionals are exactly that … they are outstanding public servants but they are not social workers and should not be expected to fulfill that role , although all too often they are .”
“ Working together , MHAEM provides the West Orange officers with resources , referrals and trained staff to de-escalate situations and help determine the best course of action for everyone involved . Through this partnership , law enforcement professionals receive support … mental health professionals get the opportunity to provide much needed services and , most importantly , individuals dealing with mental or behavioral health issues can get the help they may need as opposed to becoming a part of the criminal justice system ,” Davison said .
Summary The Connect & Protect program fosters peace , partnership , compassion , and mutual aid in a collaboration solely focused on cooperation for those most in need in our communities .
Albert Einstein explains , “ Every kind of peaceful cooperation among men is primarily based on mutual trust and only secondarily on institutions such as courts of justice and police .” Connect & Protect has answered the call . Now I am calling all law enforcement leaders and mental health professionals to trust each other more for the greater good . Let ’ s all CONNECT & PROTECT .
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