Mental Health
I want to focus on mental health issues in our community and within the Sheriff’s Office. My goal is to establish a mental health deputy who will work closely with the Rappahannock Area Community Services Board (RACSB) to provide support for community members struggling with mental health challenges. I will initiate a program to certify all deputies in Crisis Intervention Training, ensuring that every member of the office is well-equipped to handle individuals in crisis. The Sheriff's Office uniquely interacts with community members daily, many of whom are experiencing mental health crises, particularly those who appear in court regularly. Our mental health deputy will have direct access to these individuals through their court cases, giving our office a unique opportunity to offer immediate support and services.
Police Department Collaboration
I aim to collaborate with the Police Department to enhance mental health services, focusing on Temporary Detention Orders (TDOs) and Emergency Custody Orders (ECOs). Currently, the Police Department is responsible for serving all mental health orders as the primary law enforcement agency in the city. I plan to work with them to develop a mutual aid agreement to share the responsibilities of this function. This will allow police officers to return to their enforcement duties more quickly, where they are needed most. Furthermore, I want to partner with District 21 Probation and the Police Department to serve active warrants for individuals who fail to appear in court or who have absconded from probation as part of their release from active incarceration.
