The Northampton Police Department is committed to providing a high level of service to persons with mental illness, and persons experiencing a mental health crisis or emotional disturbance. The majority of Northampton Police officers have completed the forty-hour Crisis Intervention Team (C.I.T.) training and have specialized training and knowledge in responding to these types of calls. Through this training and effective partnership with the behavioral health community, officers are empowered to utilize non-traditional approaches in their interactions with individuals with mental illness or who are experiencing a mental health crisis.

 In 2021, the Northampton Police Department was selected to receive a Jail Diversion Grant from the Massachusetts Department of Mental Health. This multi-year grant supports municipalities in hiring behavioral health clinicians to assist police officers in the field.

Through this program, the Northampton Police Department partners with Clinical & Support Options (CSO) and currently has two full-time CSO clinicians embedded within the department. These clinicians respond alongside officers to both emergency and routine calls involving community members experiencing mental health challenges. In addition to on-scene support, they also provide follow-up services and conduct outreach to ensure continued care and connection to resources.

Sergeant Honora Sullivan-Chin is the Department's C.I.T. Coordinator and can be reached at: hsullivanchin@northamptonma.gov.