Tampa Police and Crisis Center partner to launch crisis dispatch program

WFTS-Tampa

April 15, 2024 at 6:27 p.m.

People who answer 911 calls can deal with anything from emergencies to crises. Soon, Tampa Police dispatch will have dedicated help for calls from those experiencing a mental health crisis. “Everyone’s worst day comes in as a 911 call, and these people in here are the first, first responders,” said Richard Parsons, a Tampa Police Communications Supervisor. Parsons oversees dayshift operations for the 911 center, and as a dispatcher, they’ll sometimes field calls where someone’s having a mental health crisis.

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