The Lower Makefield Twp. Police Department is excited to announce an updated program called Handle with Care.
The Handle with Care program is a multifaceted approach to effectively serving those with mental health and/or special needs. This program implements a special needs registry while giving focus to training officers on mental health/special needs response.
A registry has been created for Lower Makefield residents that allows one to submit information which can be used to aid law enforcement when engaging with those who have mental health/special needs. Once collected, this information would be readily available to first responders upon dispatch. The program formerly required registering in person or via mail, but now registrations may be made on-line. Those interested in submitting mental health/special needs information can click here or by clicking on the Handle With Care tab under the LMTPD Crime Watch ‘Forms’ tab.
The LMTPD has taken the pledge of the One Mind Campaign. This campaign seeks to ensure successful interactions between law enforcement and individuals with mental health conditions. As such, training will be a major focus of Handle w/ Care. As outlined by the International Chiefs of Police Association, the Lower Makefield Township Police Department pledges to:
- Establish a clearly defined and sustainable partnership with one or more community health organizations
- Develop and implement a model policy addressing law enforcement response to individuals with mental health conditions
- Train and certify 100 percent of sworn officers in mental health awareness courses by providing CIT or equivalent crisis response training to all sworn officers
- Utilization of a full-time co-responder for responses where assistance may be indicated