The Welcomed Change in Calgary Policing – Part 1
According to Stats Canada, approximately one in five contacts with police involved someone with a mental or substance use disorder. Sending individuals who struggle with substance abuse issues to prison does not resolve the problem; rather, it exacerbates it. Incarceration rarely addresses the root causes of addiction, often leaving individuals worse off than before their arrests. Having that understanding, the Calgary Police Service (CPS) offers mental health training to its officers, including crisis communication, de-escalation, and strategic communication, to help them identify and respond to individuals in crisis, including those with mental health conditions.
When police identify an individual with mental health issues during a call, instead of arresting them they may choose to take them to a health facility for assessment, support, and consultation regarding treatment options. This shift in dealing with vulnerable persons not only aims to provide immediate support to those in need but also seeks to reduce the stigma surrounding mental health issues in the community.
The following is from the Calgary Police Service page – Vulnerable Persons in Calgary. It gives a detailed look at various supportive agencies CPS partners with.
Vulnerable Persons in Calgary
The Calgary Police Service Vulnerable Persons Team coordinates with homelessness and addiction-serving agencies to meet the needs of vulnerable people in our city. The team includes resource officers who try to address the root causes of behaviour in situations involving chronic homelessness and other related issues. https://www.calgary.ca/cps/community-programs-and-resources/vulnerable-persons/vulnerablepersons.html.
Police and Crisis Team
The Police and Crisis Team (PACT) is a partnership between Alberta Health Services and the Calgary Police Service that offers assessment, support, and or consultation for people experiencing a mental health crisis in the City of Calgary. Each PACT has a police officer and a mental health professional working together to assist persons with serious mental health issues who have come into contact with the law. PACT typically responds to incidents involving people experiencing a mental health, addiction, or psychosocial crisis and when they are a danger to themselves or others.
The Downtown Outreach Addictions Program (DOAP)
The Downtown Outreach Addictions Program (DOAP) assists vulnerable individuals in the community to get to a safe place. The DOAP team is a program of the Calgary Alpha House, and it is designed to support emergency services such as police officers and Emergency Medical Services. DOAP is a service that helps link those who come into contact with individuals that have substance abuse issues with the appropriate social service agency. It is also an alternative response to calling 9-1-1 for someone who is intoxicated in the community. The DOAP team can help transport those under the influence of any drug and or alcohol for addiction treatment and related appointments.
DOAP also provides referral services for shelters, detoxification, addiction treatment services, health needs, crisis counselling, advocacy, and basic needs like food, housing, and clothing. The team can travel anywhere in the city and is a great resource for questions around addiction issues. The DOAP team can also provide referrals to more appropriate youth services for young people experiencing homelessness.
Contact DOAP
DOAP Outreach: 403-998-7388 (cell) – Operates 24/7
DOAP Encampment Team (for people sleeping outside): 403-805-7388 (cell) – Operates Monday to Friday, 8:00 am to 4:00 pm.
Help For Troubled Children and Youth
The Calgary Police Service has a Youth Resource Officer who works with agencies to provide a more coordinated service response to young people frequently in conflict with the justice system.
If your child or someone you know is experiencing mental health or addiction concerns, you can access the following resources for support:
• Alberta Health Services Access Mental Health line: 403-943-1500 (adults and youth)
• Alberta Health Services 24-hour Addictions Help Line: 1-866-332-2322 (adults and youth)
• Wood’s Homes 24-hour Crisis Response Team (CRT): 403-299-9699
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