In partnership with the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) of Erie County, all 65 Millcreek Township Police (MPD) Officers, administrators, and several police dispatchers completed Mental Health First Aid training.
“The MPD is committed to mental health and values proper treatment first, part of that commitment is training every one of our officers in how to deal with these difficult situations,” said MPD Chief Mook.
The course taught officers to identify signs and symptoms of common mental health and substance use disorders, crisis diffusion skills, affirming and reassurance tactics, as well as self-help and support strategies.
The training was fully funded by grants received by NAMI of Erie County and MPD. The completion of this training makes the Millcreek Township Police Department one of the few police departments in Pennsylvania with 100% of their officers trained in Mental Health First Aid.
The training was part of the Millcreek Township Crisis Outreach And Support Team (COAST) program, funded by the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency. COAST provides MPD with a full-time crisis intervention social worker who co-responds with police and three MPD peer support officers that provide confidential support to Millcreek Township police officers.
This milestone reaffirms Millcreek Township’s commitment to providing residents, visitors, and officers with top-quality services and takes an additional step in reducing the stigmas of mental health and substance use disorders in the community.
