Following a 12-month pilot, the Saskatchewan RCMP is permanently adding registered psychiatric nurses to its Operational Communication Centre. A release from the RCMP says the nurses provide assistance to 911 callers experiencing a mental health crisis and the officers responding to scenes of mental health crises.

During the pilot, 99.8 per cent of callers reporting mental health issues agreed to speak with the nurse and 80 per cent of the callers assessed by a nurse immediately received referrals to be admitted to a mental health and/or addiction service. The Saskatchewan RCMP adds that 71 per cent of the callers who were assessed by a nurse avoided being driven by a police officer to an Emergency Department to get a diagnosis and treatment.

One responding officer said, “It is so helpful to have another option besides taking persons in crisis to cells or hospitals, when neither are great options most of the time. I am so grateful the nurses do thorough assessments and put in the supports right away.”

There are four registered psychiatric nurses on staff. They are available through the Communication Centre Monday to Thursday from noon to midnight, and then 24/7 Friday through Sunday.