Council Committee Considers Mental Health Response Expansion

An Indianapolis City-County Council Public Safety and Criminal Justice Committee met Wednesday to discuss an amendment to the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department's budget that could increase mental health response. 

The Behavioral Health Services Unit aims to divert people experiencing an addiction or mental health crisis away from jail. IMPD Commander Catherine Cummings oversees the unit that has been hailed as a success. But, she said, a lack of providers available around the clock has been an issue.

"We have to be very careful about balancing our expansion with the supporting infrastructure that’s in place, it has to rise up with us," Cummings said. 

The unit's Mobile Crisis Assistance Team was able to divert 98 percent of calls they responded to.

City-County Councilor John Barth said the move add resources comes after significant public testimony on the issue.

"Listening carefully to the comments that we have pulled forward from our constituents who have weighed in heavily on this issue, and that they want to see a greater investment in behavioral health and mental health," Barth said. 

The program is currently being evaluated through an academic study.

Much of that same public testimony also called for reduced funding for IMPD. With the ammendment, the committee now moves IMPD's budget to the full council.  The final budget vote will happen next week.