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How having health care workers handle nonviolent police calls may impact crime

The Denver pilot program in the study is one of many similar ones rolled out in recent years

two mental health professionals stand in front of a police van on a street in Denver

In June 2020, Denver launched a pilot program to send trained health professionals (shown) rather than police officers in response to 911 calls for help involving nonviolent offenses, such as trespassing or disorderly conduct.

Denver Police Department

By Sujata Gupta

- More than 2 years ago

For the last two years, a person acting erratically in downtown Denver has likely first encountered unarmed health care workers rather than police.