The York City Police Department is excited to announce a new program called Handle with Care. The Handle with Care program is a multifaceted approach to effectively serving those with mental health / special needs. This program implements a special needs registry while giving focus to training officers on mental health / special needs response.

Handle with Care Registry

A registry has been created that allows one to submit information which can be used to aide law enforcement when engaging with those who have mental health / special needs.

Those interested in submitting mental health / special needs information can do so by using the following link: https://york.crimewatchpa.com/yorkpd/8395/webforms/handle-care-registry-0

or

by clicking on Handle w/ Care under the Services tab at www.yorkcitypolice.com

Training

The York City Police Department has taken the pledge on the One Mind Campaign. This campaign seeks to ensure successful interactions between law enforcement and individuals with mental health conditions. As such, training will be a major focus of Handle w/ Care. As outlined by the International Chiefs of Police Association, the York City Police Department pledges to:

• Establish a clearly defined and sustainable partnership with one or more community health organizations
• Develop and implement a model policy addressing law enforcement response to individuals with mental health conditions
• Train and certify 100 percent of sworn officers (and selected non-sworn staff, such as dispatchers) in mental health awareness courses by:
  
  • Providing CIT or equivalent crisis response training to a minimum of 20 percent of sworn officers (and selected non-sworn staff); and
  • Providing Mental Health First Aid training (or equivalent) to the remaining 80 percent of officers (and selected non-sworn staff).