HomeMy WebLinkAbout2026-048 Police Support for Mental Health ResourcesAugust 14, 2026 Report No. 2026-048
INFORMAL STAFF REPORT
TO MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
SUBJECT:
Resources to support police officers responding to mental health calls for service.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
On July 13, 2026, Council Member Ferrie submitted an initial two-minute pitch to have a work
session to discuss opportunities and avenues for increased mental health training for our police
officers. After a discussion with Interim Police Chief Salas, Council Member Ferrie proposed a
modified pitch at the July 21 City Council Meeting to have a work session to discuss increasing
mental health resources to aid our police officers, finding opportunities to collaborate across
departments, and funding opportunities. On July 21, 2026, the City Council gave direction to
proceed with the two-minute pitch proposal as outlined in Ordinance 24-1725.
This Informal Staff Report provides an overview of opportunities to reduce the burden on
officers responding to mental health-related calls for service. This information aligns with the
City Council’s request to explore strategies that improve service delivery, enhance community
support, and reduce strain on public safety resources.
BACKGROUND:
A mental health crisis can impact anyone, anywhere, and at any time. These crises can be
devastating for individuals, families, and our community. For those seeking support in the City
of Denton, there is an overlay of responses between nonprofit entities, hospitals, and law
enforcement. Who responds to a crisis and how quickly depends on who is called and what
resources are available at the time.
In the City of Denton, the primary provider of mental health care is Denton County My Health
My Resources (MHMR). MHMR serves as Denton County’s Local Mental Health Authority
(LMHA), which is an entity designated by the Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC)
to oversee and provide community mental health services in its designated area when no other
provider is available. To support individuals in crisis in Denton County, they contract with
MHMR of Tarrant County to provide a 24/7 crisis hotline service that provides information,
support, intervention, and referrals to callers. Additionally, they have a Mobile Crisis Outreach
Team (MCOT) that provides 24/7 clinical assessments to individuals in crisis who are presenting
as a danger to themselves or others or are experiencing severe deterioration. MCOTs are
comprised of a Qualified Mental Health Professional and/or a licensed professional. The purpose
of the clinical assessment is to determine an individual’s risk of harm to themselves or to others,
and to determine the least restrictive treatment setting in which an individual can safely receive
August 14, 2026 Report No. 2026-048
mental health services. More information about MHMR’s other crisis services can be found on
their website: Crisis Services – Denton County MHMR Center.
Often in the City of Denton, individuals in crisis, family or friends, or even concerned
unaffiliated individuals call 911 or the police non-emergency line (940-349-8181) to report a
person in need. These calls are assessed by public safety dispatchers and result in an emergency
response by the City. The responsibility to respond to these calls falls to police officers assigned
to patrol and officers assigned to the Outreach Team.
The Police Department Outreach Team currently has three police officers who have
received specialized training in responding to calls for individuals in a mental health
crisis.
The Police Department provides Mental Health training to all patrol officers graduating
from the police academy. During the police academy, officers receive 40 hours of Crisis
Intervention Training and 8 hours of De-escalation Techniques.
The Police Department has a 4-hour course on the Emergency Detention Order (EDO)
into the Field Training Academy. All Patrol Supervisors, Field Training Officers (FTOs),
and officers hired since November 2025 have received this training.
The Police Department is actively expanding EDO training to all officers, allowing for
greater coverage throughout the city.
During annual in-service training, all officers participate in scenarios related to de-
escalation, mental health, and crisis intervention.
When responding to Mental Health calls, officers work with members of the Crisis
Intervention Response Team (CIRT). The CIRT team is composed of four mental health
professionals, either Licensed Professional Counselors (LPC) or Licensed Clinical Social
Workers (LCSW), who are assigned under the Community Services Department. The
CIRT Team is dispatched to Mental Health calls by Public Safety Dispatch (PSD) to
respond to mental health and suicide calls.
Between July 31, 2025, and July 31, 2026, DPD received 1,715 mental health calls for service
and 802 suicide calls for service.
Additionally, the City of Denton continues to experience a rise in calls for service related to
homelessness, many of which involve individuals experiencing mental health crises.
Approximately one in every ten calls for service received by DPD is currently related to persons
experiencing homelessness. These calls at the intersection of homelessness and mental health
crisis create complex scenarios that sometimes require both enforcement and social service
intervention.
August 14, 2026 Report No. 2026-048
DISCUSSION:
To better respond to these types of calls, the City has applied for Continuum of Care (CoC)
funding for Supportive Services Only – Street Outreach. The $500,000 grant would provide for
five additional case workers to be integrated with public safety, as CIRT is, and allow for the
intervention of civilian personnel alongside mental health professionals to de-escalate situations
and lead to a positive outcome for all involved. The ongoing case management of individuals
combined with supportive services connections will help to reduce recurrences and help
individuals secure stability. There is currently no funding planned to support such programming
with general fund dollars if the CoC funding is not secured.
CONCLUSION:
The Denton Street Outreach initiative represents a meaningful opportunity to reduce demand on
police officers responding to mental health-related calls, particularly those involving
homelessness. Through coordinated dispatch, integration of case managers, and strengthened
collaboration with mental health clinicians, the City can improve outcomes for vulnerable residents
while easing the operational burden on public safety staff.
Upon receipt of the Informal Staff Report, Council Member Ferrie may indicate if the information
provided satisfies their request. Should the request not be satisfied, the item will be considered by
the Agenda Committee for placement on a future Work Session agenda or routing through an
appropriate board, commission, or committee.
STAFF CONTACT:
Tony Salas
Interim Chief of Police
Tony.Salas@cityofdenton.com
(940) 349-8109
Jesse Kent
Director of Community Services
Jesse.Kent@cityofdenton.com
(940) 349-7234
REQUESTOR: Council Member George Ferrie.
STAFF TIME TO COMPLETE REPORT: 6 hrs.
PARTICIPATING DEPARTMENTS: Denton Police Department & Community Services