meeting held on June 28, 2022 focused on two large topics: finding the right support services for mental health calls for service in the city and decriminalizing simple illicit drug possession. is dealing with an unprecedented number of calls for mental health services during the pandemic, and it hasn’t subsided. The RPS chief of police said mental health and addictions systems are at capacity and few community agencies offer 24-7 services.
“I think it’s finding a way that we can help our community partners and other organizations that could provide 24-7 care if the funding and the resources they need so that we have all these answers available to us at all times of the day,” said RPS Chief Evan Bray.Police suggest there should be a triaged approach for police to divert certain mental health calls for service to other agencies while continuing supports and funding to address housing supports for those in need.