The Mount Olive Police Department has partnered with The Mental Health Association of Morris and Essex (known as MHA) to create a proactive approach to the ever-growing mental health crisis, by creating a Co-Response program (MO CAP).
Our police department will now be staffed with licensed mental health clinicians who will respond with police officers to calls for service that involve individuals suffering from, or appear to be suffering from, a Mental Health Disorder (MHD), Substance Use Disorder (SUD) or a Mental Health Substance Use Disorder (MHSUD).
These licensed mental health clinicians will assist officers with de-escalation techniques and will provide families and those who are suffering from a MHD, SUD, or MHSUD with linkages to services and social services in real time. They will also conduct follow-ups and welfare checks to ensure that those individuals and families are cared for.
The Goals of the MO CAP program are to:
- Reduce unnecessary police interaction.
- Reduce recidivism and the incarceration rate.
- Reduce incidents in which the use of force may be required.
- Improve the De-escalation success rate.
- Provide individuals suffering from a MHD or MHSUD and their families, with linkages to treatment programs and social services that best fit their needs.
- Conduct follow-ups and welfare checks to ensure these individuals are being cared for.
- Build trust, accountability, and communication within the community.
- Promote information sharing, coordination, and follow-ups among various agencies and stakeholders involved in the care of people suffering from MHDs and MHSUDs.
Please call 9-1-1 if you or someone you know is currently in crisis and is suffering from a Mental Health Disorder, Substance Use Disorder, or a Mental Health Substance Use Disorder.
For all non-emergencies, please contact the Mount Olive Police Department at 973-691-0850. If you have questions about the MO CAP program, please E-Mail us at mocap [at] mtolivetwp.org (mocap[at]mtolivetwp[dot]org)