Douglas County Sheriff's office commanders want to have a licensed therapist available, who would respond to mental health-related calls alongside law enforcement officers.
“We are a law enforcement office; we are professional law enforcement officers,” Chief Deputy Wayne Hudson told 6 News. “We are not professional therapists, so we have some training to deal with individuals that are experiencing a mental health challenge, but nowhere near what a licensed clinician would have.”
The office currently uses a team of therapists from Lutheran Family Services, but they can only send a therapist out if they're available.
The Sheriff's Office will use a grant to pay for the position.
(Picture from Douglas County Sheriff)