The Kennebecasis Regional Police saying thanks to Horizon Health for the addiction and mental health training given to the entire force.
This is the first program of its kind in New Brunswick and chief Stephen McIntyre tells us he can see this kind of program rolling out across the province, saying they’re dealing with more and more calls for service relating to mental health situations.
Chief McIntyre says the response from the officers has been very positive with a common comment being that they had no idea of the complexities of some of the mental health issues. McIntyre says, “these people are sick and you want to be able to deal with them in the most appropriate way possible in order to see that you can de-escalate the situation and take them out of crisis mode.”
In July, the KRPF was approached by Horizon Health to offer officers specific training on addiction and mental health, and in November and December of this year all employees received a 40-hour law enforcement specific addictions and mental health training program. Officers from the Saint John police, Fredericton Police, Correctional Officers and nurses have also received this training.
The KRPF presenting a plaque to Horizon Health at the station to thank them for the program, and another to Natasha Lemieux, who was the lead coordinator on the training and delivered all of the training. There was also a plaque presented to the KRPF by Jean Daigle of Horizon Health.
