Feature

Spotlight on the Local Programs Database (LPD): Los Angeles City Police Department

This section highlights profiles from the LPD that detail interesting collaborative criminal justice/mental health initiatives from around the country. This month, the Justice Center spotlights the Los Angeles City Police Department, a partner to the grantee profiled above and an active participant on the LPD. Below is an excerpt from their online profile, which can be read in full by clicking here.

Los Angeles City Police Department

Program start year:
Earlier than 2005

Primary specialized response:
Mental health professionals partner with law enforcement officers to provide on-scene crisis intervention and referral.

Secondary specialized response:
Mental health providers, often as members of a mobile crisis team, are called in by law enforcement to provide crisis intervention at the scene.

Background information:
The LAPD Mental Evaluation Unit has been operational for many decades. The Systemwide Mental Assessment Response Team (SMART) strategy was created in 1993 as a collaborative response model with the Department of Mental Health (DMH).

Total number of officers in program:
70

Number of people with mental illness served:
More than 500

Funding source(s):

  • Police Department
  • Local Mental Health Department

Staff supported by funding:

  • Law Enforcement Officer
  • MH Service Provider (e.g., case manager, social worker)
  • Program Coordinator
Explore the Justice Center’s Websites
CSG Justice Center Criminal Justice / Mental Health Consensus Project Justice Reinvestment National Reentry Resource Center Reentry Policy Council