Peel Regional Police – A Day with M.C.R.R.T.
The Peel Regional Police Mobile Crisis Rapid Response Team (M.C.R.R.T.) is busy at work every day. An officer and crisis worker united together to answer the call of those in crisis. Amid the pandemic, symptoms have been escalating for those in the Peel community living with various mental health and additional issues. However, many do not know what this looks like and would like some insight.
The day begins quickly, M.C.R.R.T. heads to a real-time call where a couple is arguing with their adult daughter. This woman struggles with multiple mental health issues and is experiencing a full-blown crisis that includes delusions and hallucinations. Upon arrival, the client is immediately confrontational with the uniformed officers, yelling at them from the stairs and refusing to come down to speak with them.
Due to previous assessments and encounters, the officers are equipped with some advanced information. They are aware that she has difficulty trusting the police and has delusional-based utterances that caused her family to call for help in the first place. As she reveals that she has been receiving messages over the radio that a stalker has been sending people to harm her and ruin her life. The joint effort between the crisis worker and the M.C.R.R.T. officer lead to the woman’s safe apprehension. She is brought to the hospital for further medical evaluation.
On another incident, the team attends an on-ramp to Highway 410 to prevent a teenaged boy from harming himself by running out into five lanes of traffic. An additional challenge here stems from the youth previously having a negative experience with police. The M.C.R.R.T. works through the moment, building rapport and trust. During the conversation, they learn why he wants to harm himself. He expresses he has been overwhelmed and frustrated about a medical injury and feels there is no other way out. With this insight gained, the team can connect the boy with the appropriate community agency to provide him with the help he needs. From the combined efforts of the M.C.R.R.T. and additional uniformed officers assisting, the youth’s perception of police has made a positive change.
As the day moves on for the M.C.R.R.T., so does the mental health crisis for a woman suffering from P.T.S.D. She is a survivor of human trafficking. She is overwhelmed with anguish and wants to end her life. She is located, paralyzed with dread, at the side of the highway by M.C.R.R.T. Sensitive to her state, M.C.R.R.T., gently attempts to build rapport and assists her to safety without escalating her crisis. With her family by her side, M.C.R.R.T. discusses safety plans and treatment options. The best course of action at this time is to attend the hospital for medical assessment. As she listens, she is overcome with shock and anxiety and her body begins to shake. The team gently explains the hospital process and assists her step by step towards receiving the treatment required. She is brought to the hospital and connected with community supports and effective treatment plans.
Every day our Mobile Crisis Rapid Response Team is on the road responding to calls to provide support and assistance to those in an active mental health crisis. Officer and crisis worker united together, assisting members of our community, continuing on the path towards a Safer Community Together.
