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'Better prepared' | Perry Police emphasizes mental health awareness, all officer trained

They have joined the one mind campaign, putting an emphasis on mental health awareness.

PERRY, Ga. — The Perry Police Department is now even more equipped to handle mental health crisis calls. 

All of the officers in the department now have crisis intervention training and mental health awareness training through the Georgia Post Training Center. It's nearly 50 hours in training.

Marcus Camps is a community service officer with the Perry Police Department. He says they often answer the call to behavioral health crises.

"It's definitely the types of calls and situations we are encountering a lot more," Camps shared.

Now when any officer has to hit the road and answer a call, Camps says they're better equipped.

"I can see greatly how the training has helped us to be more understanding and better prepared," he said.

Camps says they've learned the signs to look for.

"Verbally what they're saying to body language, sometimes you're fortunate enough that you have family and loved ones on scene who will let you know," he says.

Plus, they have more resources to call on. The team partners with Middle Flint Health and Wellness to have a two-person co-responder team.

"We can be called out to hostage sittings, we can be called out to people boarding themselves up in their homes," Middle Flint Clinical Director Paula Woodall said.

Woodall says the partnership allows departments to help individuals quicker in a way that helps them feel safe.

"When people are in a crisis, one of the biggest things they need is someone to speak to, someone to listen to them," she said.

Camps has never called on Middle Flint for help, but says as a department they have, and its been successful. He says his training has shown him how to listen and properly show up to a scene.

"Be considerate of what you bring. Do you bring loud noises? If someone is having a crisis in their front yard, it probably isn't best to pull up with lights and sirens blaring, with all that extra stimulus and signs," he said. 

He says the way they communicate is important as well.

"Calm clear and concisely, so that we can communicate with them more effectively," he said.

Camps says their training helps them provide steps after the crisis resolution.

"We are able to provide resources and not just what could feel like a temporary band-aid," he shared.

Woodall says the co-responders team only works 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on weekdays, but the crisis response team is available after hours and on weekends if the police need help. 

The Houston County Sheriff's Office also uses Middle Flint as a resource. The organization serves eleven counties, including Peach, Crisp, Dooly and Macon counties.

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