With RCMP dealing with more mental health calls every year, a new partnership between police and Northern Health is hoping to provide Prince George’s most vulnerable with mental health help.
Launched last week, Car 60 is a team made up of a nurse and officer that specifically respond to mental health calls.
“We are modelled after Car 67 in Surrey, who has been around for 14 years. The VPD also has car 87 and 88.” Car 60 officer Constable Sonja Blom said
“There has definitely been a lot of support for the program and we are very excited to finally get it off the ground.” Blom added “Just as a member of the RCMP, we have a lot of mental health calls so there is definitely a need for it.”
Last year Prince George RCMP received 1037 mental health calls, something a general duty officer is not trained to deal with. They often have to spend hours at the hospital while someone is treated.
Blom said that they are still getting their bearings after their first week on the road, but have already answered several calls.
Car 60 is made up of two full-time RCMP members, one full-time and one part-time nurse as well as a number of casuals.
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