Halton police add third crisis team for calls in Oakville, Burlington, Milton

Halton police will be increasing their crisis response teams in Burlington, Milton, Oakville and Halton Hills thanks to a provincial grant.

The money will allow the force to add a third team to the existing two, each of which sees a police officer team up with a mental health crisis worker from Hamilton’s St. Joseph’s Healthcare.

The Mobile Crisis Rapid Response Teams have responded to mental health crisis calls since 2016. Team members are trained to defuse or deescalate crisis situations, to advocate for those in crisis, and to ensure mental health assessments are completed where they are needed most.

“This additional grant funding allows us to further invest in the program and enhance needed coverage, responsiveness and impact,” said Roger Wilkie, deputy chief of District Operations.

“Community safety and well-being is a shared responsibility. Our ability and willingness to collaborate and coordinate service delivery in the area of mental health is not only a game changer but a necessity.”