“It’s hard for officers to withstand the number of hours. And the last thing a person in true mental health crisis needs is to be transported to Winnebago, 4.5 hours away, in handcuffs in the back of a squad.””

Pierce County Sheriff Chad Koranda

It’s no question that police officers often respond to calls involving people having a mental health crisis, who are intoxicated, experiencing homelessness or who have other health and social service issues. Recent studies show as many as 10% of all police calls involve a person with a mental illness.

Pierce County Sheriff Chad Koranda and Human Services Director Julie Krings appeared before the Pierce County Finance & Personnel Committee Monday, March 6 to discuss a conceptual mental health co-responder program possibility.

“Law enforcement has to respond to a significant number of mental health calls, which can be time-consuming,” Krings said.

Across the country, many law enforcement agencies are seeking out alternatives to arrest or hospitalization, not only to free up officers’ time but to help people achieve the best outcomes possible. A concept gaining popularity, Krings said, is pairing health care professionals with police officers to respond to these types of calls.

Oftentimes people with mental health issues are “repeat customers” well known to law enforcement, Krings said. Police officers showing up in uniform may even contribute to a person’s anxiety, unintentionally.

“We are looking at developing a co-responder program,” Krings said. “A mental health professional would be dispatched with an officer to a mental health call and work collaboratively to deescalate that individual and diffuse the situation to the point where law enforcement could leave. The mental health professional could stay on scene as long as needed.”

The mental health professional would have a “soft uniform” that would identify them as a Pierce County partner/employee.

“They would help that person with safety planning, develop a crisis plan, look at resources to keep that person safe,” Krings said. “We want to link them up with resources right away, so they don’t come back in our system with repeat calls. The mental health worker can help the officer coordinate with the hospital … our goal is not to get people into the hospital.”

Koranda said River Falls Police Chief Gordon Young approached him and Krings about a co-responder program in Pierce County after working with one through St. Croix County.

“Our goal today is to get this in front of you to let you know that this is a possibility,” Koranda said. “This is happening every day in our business. All you have to do is turn the TV on.”

Koranda said the last thing a person in a mental health crisis needs is to be arrested and taken to jail. With a co-responder, he learned, 90-95% of mental health crises don’t require hospitalization. Having a calming co-responder presence could greatly help deescalate a high-tension situation. It also reduces the use of force numbers, decreases hospitalizations and ER visits, Koranda said.

Currently, people in need of hospitalization for mental health issues are transported to a state institute in Winnebago, Wis., 4.5 hours away.

“It’s hard for officers to withstand the number of hours,” Koranda said. “And the last thing a person in true mental health crisis needs is to be transported to Winnebago, 4.5 hours away, in handcuffs in the back of a squad.”

Supervisor Jerry Kosin said the program is needed. He told a story about a friend who has had mental health and alcohol trouble for four years with frequent law enforcement visits.

“He’s taken to a hospital and let loose the next day,” Kosin said. “I think it’s more than mental. There were times when there was four deputies out there. I think alcohol would be something to think about also.”

Krings said the county’s Criminal Justice Coordinating Council is also exploring Project HOPE, a more intensive co-responder program that deals with substance abuse.

CJCC is exploring Project HOPE, a more intensive co-responder program that deals with substance abuse,” Krings said.

In St. Croix County, = the co-responders are given a police band radio, Koranda said.

“When that call comes in, if it’s dispatched as a mental health crisis, they go,” he said.  

Chair Jon Aubart said at some point funding would need to be discussed. Krings said they are researching resources to finance the program besides county levy.

BEAD grant

The committee voted to opt into the Broadband Equity, Access & Deployment (BEAD) local planning grant.

According to County Administrator Jason Matthys, the Public Service Commission sent a letter Feb. 7 regarding an opportunity for local governments to access BEAD funding, which will be used for planning purposes to support the state’s development of a five-year action plan to serve as Wisconsin’s roadmap to implementing high-speed internet for all.

“The funding formula for Pierce would be up to $16,000 of reimbursed costs allowable under the program if we were to opt into the grant program and participate independently,” Matthys said.

By opting into the program, Pierce County can leverage the $16,000 to partner with a consulting firm that could assist with public survey and stakeholder outreach.

Opting in doesn’t obligate the county to accept funds if the grant rules aren’t agreeable, Matthys said. He said Pepin County contacted him to discuss a potential partnership.

“I see no reason not to opt in,” Matthys said.

Other business

• The committee declined to accept an offer from Crystal Mooney of Mooney’s Rusty Horse to purchase S209 McKay Ave., Spring Valley, for $4,000. The building, which has remedial mold issues and water damage, is appraised at $50,000 plus or minus $10,000. Supervisor Rod Gilles said the offer was “ridiculously low.” The committee directed Clerk Jamie Feuerhelm to look at realtor and auction options.
• The committee approved consolidating two accounting assistant positions into one business manager position, saving the county $44,000 to $100,000 in tax levy. Finance Director Julie Brickner said the change will allow for better retainment and recruitment.
• The committee voted to amend county code regarding the amount for equipment purchases that Highway Commissioner Chad Johnson has to bring before the full county board. The amount was increased from $75,000 to $350,000.
• The committee authorized the transfer of $26,345.91 from the contingency fund to cover a 2022 Corporation Counsel office budget deficit. The overage was attributed to an uncharacteristically high number of legal bills associated with internal sheriff’s office employee issues.
• The committee authorized the transfer of $36,000 from the general fund to the 2022 district attorney’s office budget deficit. The overage is attributed to retaining an expert for a serious child pornography case and an employee insurance change. The decision will be forwarded to the full county board.
• The committee authorized the transfer of $43,108.26 from the contingency fund to the 2022 maintenance budget deficit, due to increased utility costs.