University of Dayton Public Safety is one of two police agencies in Ohio to complete the International Association of Chiefs of Police pledge to improve interactions with people with mental health conditions.

In meeting the One Mind Campaign pledge, UD Public Safety:

• Established a clearly defined and sustainable partnership with one or more community mental health organizations. UD Public Safety is partnering with Alcohol, Drug Addiction, and Mental Health Services of Montgomery County to continue mental health training for law enforcement.
• Developed and implemented a policy addressing police response to individuals with mental health conditions, which includes training requirements; a list of care providers; and procedures for recognizing signs and symptoms, assessing risk and making referrals. 
• Trained and certified all sworn officers and selected non-sworn staff, such as dispatchers, in Crisis Intervention Team or an equivalent crisis response training, or mental health first aid training or an equivalent.

"It's not just important, it's imperative police officers respond to calls with consideration for the mental health of the people involved. So we felt it was prudent for our officers to be trained in crisis intervention or mental health first aid," said Savalas Kidd, assistant vice president for public safety and chief of police. "This has been a department goal we've been working steadily toward. I am extremely proud of our officers' commitment to achieving this recognition."

More than 630 agencies nationwide have taken the pledge, according to the association.

"Your willingness to build community partnerships and implement promising practices to enhance police interactions with persons affected by mental illness speaks to your innovative leadership," association President John W. Letteney wrote in a letter congratulating UD Public Safety on completing the pledge. "As law enforcement leaders, we know that successful interactions between police officers and persons affected by mental illness improves public trust, ensures officer safety and saves lives."

For more information about the One Mind Campaign, visit the IACP's website at https://www.theiacp.org/projects/one-mind-campaign or contact onemindcampaign@theiacp.org.

For more information or interviews, contact Shawn Robinson, associate director of news and communications, at 937-229-3391 or srobinson@udayton.edu.