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Davidson Police Department Announces Co-Responder Program

by | May 28, 2023

The Davidson Police Department announced the implementation of its new Co-Responder Program this week at the Board of Commissioner’s public meeting held on Tuesday, May 23.  The Co-Responder program is contracted through CriSys and housed within the Davidson Police Department.  The program will be executed as a hybrid model where the DPD and the designated clinician will collaborate on responding to calls.  Officers will evaluate the nature of the call and whether a law enforcement action is appropriate.  The goal is to ensure a proper response and to provide targeted services reducing the need for future calls to 911.

The Co-Responder Program provides a mobile, community-based service focused on mental health, substance use, and situational crisis intervention services.

The Co-Responder is a highly trained and certified First Responder who conducts on-scene assessments, using highly trained de-escalation techniques, and offers citizens a connection to resources.   The desired outcome is to see a decrease in future crisis calls for service, reduce barriers to treatment, and break the stigma of mental health and substance abuse.

The Clinician will provide Davidson residents with proactive follow-up and resources. The clinician will also be responsible for reassessing the needs of the community. These voluntary services are free to citizens. 

Deja Anderson, MSW, LCSWA, is the designated First Responder for Town of Davidson residents.  A graduate from North Mecklenburg High School, Anderson received a bachelor’s

degree in criminal justice from North Caroline Agricultural and Technical State University (NC A&T). Anderson went on to pursue a master’s degree in social work from the University of Kentucky. Prior to becoming a mental health clinician, Anderson served as an investigator for the Department of Child Protective Services as well as a parole officer. 

The Town of Davidson is the first of the North Mecklenburg County municipalities to invest in a co-responder program.  The action taken by the Town’s elected leaders provides our residents with first-rate service through the provision of focused behavioral crisis services.

To view the complete presentation please visit town’s meeting agenda webpage.

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