Tampa Police and Crisis Center partner to launch crisis dispatch program [Video]

TAMPA, Fla. — People who answer 911 calls can deal with anything from emergencies to crises. Soon, Tampa Police dispatch will have dedicated help for calls from those experiencing a mental health crisis.

“Everyone’s worst day comes in as a 911 call, and these people in here are the first, first responders,” said Richard Parsons, a Tampa Police Communications Supervisor.

Parsons oversees dayshift operations for the 911 center, and as a dispatcher, they’ll sometimes field calls where someone’s having a mental health crisis.

“Usually, those calls are probably the hardest calls that we take,” said Parsons. “There’s a lot going on. Typically, those people need resources.”

But through one program, Tampa Police will soon house intervention specialists from the Crisis Center of Tampa Bay in their dispatch center.

“Historically, the police will be the ones to deal with these calls,” said Tampa Police Deputy Chief Calvin Johnson. “We’re not equipped …