An Interview ⁤with Deputy Chief Curt Shankel on Nampa Police’s New Mental Health Coordinator Role

Editor:⁣ Can you start by explaining the ​recent developments regarding mental health crisis response in Nampa?

Deputy Chief Curt Shankel: The Nampa Police Department has ‌recently introduced a new role designed to address the rising number of ‌mental health‍ calls we are receiving. The position of a ⁤mental health coordinator is not entirely new‌ to law enforcement, but it’s a first for our⁤ department.

Editor: How does this role hope to assist the community?

Deputy Chief Curt Shankel: The mental health coordinator will provide essential support to individuals in crisis by ensuring they receive ⁣the appropriate mental health services. Additionally, the role aims to educate our law enforcement personnel on recognizing the signs of mental illness, effective intervention strategies, and connecting them with social services. Our ultimate goal is to divert individuals from the criminal justice system and ​connect them with the necessary resources, thereby easing the pressure on our police resources.

Editor: Can you share some background on how ⁢this ⁤initiative‌ was conceived?

Deputy Chief Curt Shankel: This initiative ‍has been inspired by similar programs that have shown great success in other⁤ areas such as meridian,‌ Boise, and Ada County. Recognizing the need for such support within our own community, we decided to formalize this role to better equip⁢ our officers ⁣and help⁢ our residents.

Editor: What ⁣specific challenges did Nampa face that ‍led to the creation of this Coordinator role?

Deputy Chief Curt shankel: We have seen a notable increase in calls related to mental health issues. As‌ our community grows, we need to ensure that we are adequately equipped to handle these⁣ situations properly and compassionately. By hiring a ‍mental health coordinator, we ⁢aim to ⁤enhance our ability to handle these cases more effectively.

Editor: How will this coordinator‌ role be beneficial to the officers as well?

Deputy Chief Curt Shankel:⁤ Officers will receive specialized⁢ training in recognizing and responding to mental health crises. This education is crucial for effective intervention and ensures⁣ that officers can perform their duties with greater safety and confidence. ⁢additionally, the presence of a mental health coordinator will allow officers to focus more on enforcement activities while the coordinator assists with social service referrals ​and follow-up.

Editor: What ⁣are the next steps for implementing this new role?

Deputy Chief Curt Shankel: Currently, we are in ‌the process of hiring for this position. ‍Once we have⁤ someone onboard, our ​focus will be on training them and integrating them into our ⁢existing systems. ⁣This will include establishing‍ protocols, building partnerships with local mental health organizations, and ensuring that our officers are well-informed about this new layer of support.

Editor: Is there anything else you’d like​ the public ‌to know about this initiative?

Deputy Chief Curt Shankel: We believe that this⁣ role will make a significant difference in our community. It aligns with our ⁤mission to⁤ serve with integrity, teamwork, and⁣ excellence. We encourage the public to support this new initiative and to continue reaching out ⁤to us if they have any‍ concerns or questions.

By introducing the mental health coordinator role, ⁣the Nampa Police Department is taking a significant step forward in addressing the growing mental health ⁣challenges in their community. This initiative⁤ aims to provide trained support to individuals in⁢ crisis, better ​equip law enforcement,⁣ and foster a more comprehensive system of mental health services. The ultimate goal is to ensure that those in need receive appropriate care, thereby reducing the strain ⁣on police resources and creating a safer, more supportive community.