The Palo Alto Police Department is excited to welcome back a mental health clinician to its Psychiatric Emergency Response Team (PERT). This program, which pairs a police officer with a mental health expert, is designed to handle urgent mental health calls effectively. After being without a clinician for over two years, the team is ready to serve the community again.
The PERT program started as a pilot in 2021 and was the first of its kind in Santa Clara County. During that time, the team managed over 350 calls and successfully helped 110 individuals access social services instead of being hospitalized against their will.
Assistant Police Chief James Reifschneider emphasized the value of this program. He noted, “The PERT model combines the skills of both a police officer and a licensed clinician. This unique blend allows for a more compassionate response to those in distress.”
In 2022, the City Council decided to make the program permanent and even added a full-time officer to the team. Unfortunately, hiring a clinician proved challenging for the county. By the end of last year, Santa Clara Behavioral Health Services informed Palo Alto that while they couldn’t provide specific funding, they could support once the city found the resources.
To solve the issue, Palo Alto will cover the cost of the clinician for the next five years, utilizing $1.2 million from the Stanford University Medical Center designated for mental health initiatives. The total contract with the county is $1.4 million, which will span from 2026 to 2030. However, officials are aware that more funding will be needed beyond this initial period.
Reifschneider mentioned that the new clinician has already started working. The PERT team operates four 10-hour shifts each week in an unmarked police vehicle, with the officer wearing a plainclothes-style outfit to differentiate them from other officers. The department hopes to eventually expand to a second team, allowing them to respond seven days a week.
Mental health crises are on the rise. A study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association found that mental health-related emergency room visits have increased by nearly 40% over the past few years. Programs like PERT are increasingly vital as communities seek to respond effectively to these challenges.
Community feedback has also shown strong support for mental health initiatives. Many residents express that combining police and mental health services creates a safer environment for those in need.
With the PERT program back in action, Palo Alto is setting a positive example for integrating mental health services into public safety. It’s a promising step toward ensuring that individuals in distress receive the compassionate care they deserve.
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