Saanich Police Seeks Provincial Help: A Call for Change in Mental Health Response
In a move that highlights the growing strain on police resources, Saanich Police is seeking provincial assistance to establish a dedicated mental health unit. This development comes as a response to the increasing number of mental health-related calls, which are tying up trained officers and impacting their ability to respond to other emergencies. The story of Saanich Police is a microcosm of a broader trend in law enforcement across the country, where the line between police and mental health services is becoming increasingly blurred.
The Saanich Police Board Chair, Jim Cambridge, initiated the request, citing a critical service gap after the end of a multidisciplinary response program. This program, known as the Integrated Mobile Crisis Response Team (IMCRT), was a partnership between Island Health and regional police forces, including Saanich Police. The IMCRT model, which paired officers with mental health nurses to respond to complex mental health calls, has now been reconfigured and no longer includes police involvement.
The reconfiguration of the IMCRT program by Island Health has left a void in Saanich Police's ability to respond to mental health calls efficiently. Chief Dean Duthie emphasizes the critical nature of these calls, which require a patient-focused, multidisciplinary approach. However, the lack of dedicated resources from Island Health has forced Saanich Police to establish a police-only crisis response team, funded through July 2026 from the previous year's operating budget.
The implications of this shift are far-reaching. With the end of the IMCRT model, Saanich Police has seen an increase in hospital wait times for officers responding to mental health calls. This is a trend that is not unique to Saanich; other police departments, such as the West Shore RCMP, have also left regional units, citing a lack of resources and a need to reinvest in their own communities. The West Shore RCMP, for instance, formed its own Mental Health Unit (MHU) and is now redirecting funds towards other initiatives, including a Community and Indigenous Policing Unit officer and a Domestic Violence Co-ordinator.
The situation in Saanich Police raises a deeper question: How can law enforcement agencies effectively balance their traditional roles with the growing demand for mental health services? The answer lies in a reevaluation of the relationship between police and mental health services, and a commitment to investing in dedicated resources for mental health response. The provincial government's role in supporting such initiatives is crucial, as it can help alleviate the strain on police resources and ensure that those in crisis receive the care they need.
In my opinion, the Saanich Police's request for provincial help is a call for change. It is a recognition that the traditional model of police response to mental health calls is no longer sustainable. By investing in dedicated mental health units, we can create a more effective and compassionate system that supports both those in crisis and the officers who serve our communities. The time has come for a reevaluation of the relationship between police and mental health services, and I believe that Saanich Police's initiative is a step in the right direction.
