Students propose co‑response model and improved 911 triage for mental‑health calls

Student researchers told the Ann Arbor Human Rights Commission that the city should expand nonpolice crisis responses and improve 911 triage to reduce harms for people experiencing mental‑health, substance‑use, and homelessness crises.

Lee Solo, an MSW student, said a quarter of county community‑mental‑health responses originated from Ann Arbor Police calls and argued for decision trees and dispatcher training to route suitable incidents to clinicians or EMS. The students recommended training for dispatchers and responders, including Crisis Intervention Training and physical‑safety training for social workers, and proposed a co‑response model that pairs a behavioral‑health practitioner with either a less‑armed officer or an EMS/firehouse team depending on risk.

Commissioners focused on whether an armed officer should routinely accompany co‑response teams. Presenters said some jurisdictions run programs without routine police presence but cited local constraints — insurance, liability and existing police investment — that make an immediate shift away from officers difficult. Commissioners suggested alternatives: a separate non‑emergency crisis number, EMS/firehouse hubs for unarmed teams, and continuing to expand community officers who do not carry guns.

The commission asked presenters to share comparative examples and to bring refined recommendations after consulting police leadership and county partners; Chief Anderson and police leadership were cited as partners the students plan to brief.