May 31. The Town of Davidson Police Department announced the implementation of its new co-responder program, which is contracted through CriSys and housed within the Davidson Police Department.

The program provides a mobile, community-based service focused on mental health, substance use and situational crisis intervention services.

Deja Anderson

Policing is a delicate balance between providing public safety and serving the community, and enforcing laws—and behavioral health issues are at the root of countless incidents.

First in N. Meck

Davidson is the first of the North Mecklenburg County municipalities to invest in a co-responder program.

The program is a hybrid model where the Davidson Police Department and the designated clinician will collaborate on responding to calls. Officers will evaluate the nature of the call and whether a law enforcement action is appropriate.

The goal is to ensure a proper response and to provide targeted services reducing the need for future calls to 911.

Details

The co-responder is a highly trained and certified first responder who conducts on-scene assessments, using de-escalation techniques and offers citizens a connection to resources.

The clinician will provide Davidson residents with proactive follow-up and resources. The clinician will also be responsible for reassessing the needs of the community. These voluntary services are free to citizens.

Deja Anderson, MSW, LCSWA, is the designated first responder for Davidson residents. A graduate from North Mecklenburg High, Anderson received a master’s degree in social work from the University of Kentucky. Prior to becoming a mental health clinician, Anderson served as an investigator for the Department of Child Protective Services as well as a parole officer.