RCMP in the Kootenays now have a new tool in partnership with Interior Health.
Detachments in Golden, Columbia Valley, the Elk Valley, Creston, Kimberley and Cranbrook adopted the mental-health risk assessment tool, called HealthIM, on Feb. 25.
Officers use it when responding to mental-health and substance-use calls.
According to the RCMP, HealthIM allows officers to complete an assessment and share the information with emergency departments during crisis calls.
Chief Supt. Shawna Baher, commander of the B.C. RCMP Southeast District says the system is a practical step forward in how officers support people in crisis.
Interior Health president and CEO Sylvia Weir said the program improves communication between police and emergency departments.
The Kootenay rollout follows earlier implementations elsewhere in the province.
According to the RCMP, data shows apprehensions in Prince George dropped by 42 per cent within a year of the system being introduced.
In Delta, hospital wait times related to police mental-health calls were reduced by an average of 20 minutes.
Police agencies, including Delta Police Department, Surrey Police Service and Prince George RCMP, report HealthIM has been used in more than 10,500 calls across B.C.
Officials say the program is expected to expand to other communities in the province.
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