Florida – With protests across the country and push to reform how we police some local governments are changing if a police officer responds or a team member.
According to a press release from St. Petersburg police department they will create a new Division of the Police Department called the Community Assistance Liaison to expand approach to public safety. Social service agency will respond to non-violent calls for service from the public beginning October 1, 2020. Calls of the following will now be handled by these new members.
Disorderly intoxication
drug overdose
Intoxicated person
Suicide crisis
Mental Health Transport
Disorderly juvenile/truancy
Disorderly Juvenile at Elementary schools
Panhanding
Homeless Complaints
Neighborhood dispute
The St. Petersburg police department says that they received 12,700 calls for the above listed service issues. The police will monitor these calls for a year to see if officers are still required to respond to these issues in addition to the CAL team member. Police will still be dispatched to violent or life-threatening situations.
