UCPO Hosts Roundtable On Police Interaction With Those With Mental Health Needs

UNION COUNTY, NJ — The Union County Prosecutor’s Office, in collaboration with The Union County Board of County Commissioners and the Union County Department of Human Services, hosted a roundtable discussion at KEAN University highlighting law enforcement interaction with individuals with mental health needs and developmental, intellectual, and physical disabilities.

The event, titled "Growing Together in Union County: Alternative Responses for an Inclusive Community," brought together a diverse group of panelists and attendees, including representatives from Union County law enforcement, service providers, and community stakeholders.

Discussions centered around Law & Policy, Law Enforcement Training and Response, Diversion in the Criminal Justice System, and Community Support Services. Panelists discussed existing programs and initiatives designed to improve interactions between law enforcement and individuals with mental health needs and developmental, intellectual, and physical disabilities.

They also emphasized the importance of collaboration between law enforcement, human services professionals, and community partners to ensure all Union County residents are treated with dignity, respect, and understanding.

The distinguished panels included Union County Prosecutor William Daniel, Director Debbie-Ann Anderson of the Union County Department of Human Services, and representatives from:

• Union County Prosecutor's Office
• New Jersey Office of the Attorney General
• Kean University
• NJ Department of Human Services
• Bridgeway Behavioral Health Services
• RWJBarnabas Health/Trinitas Regional Medical Center/ Behavioral Health Psychiatry Administration
• City of Elizabeth Police Department
• City of Linden Police Department
• City of Rahway
• Union County Regional Communications Center
• Mental Health Association in New Jersey
• Union County Office of the Public Defender
• Prevention Links
• Children's Specialized Hospital
• Inroads to Opportunities
• Union County National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)

Each panel concluded with a question-and-answer session, allowing attendees to engage in open dialogue with the experts. The event opened with remarks from the Honorable Kimberly Palmieri-Mouded, Chairwoman of the Union County Board of County Commissioners, and Director Debbie-Ann Anderson.

The overall events focus and audience represented a hybrid of law enforcement and human services/mental health professionals. The partners in attendance included:

• Union County Police Department
• YWCA Union County
• Winfield Police Department
• Rutgers University Behavioral Health Care
• Kenilworth Police Department
• St. Joseph’s Social Service Center
• Hillside Police Department
• Rahway Police Department
• The Gateway Family YMCA
• Roselle Park Police Department
• Union County Sheriff’s Office
• Elizabeth Housing Authority
• Scotch Plains Police Department
• Catholic Charities of the Archdioceses of Newark
• Westfield Police Department
• Bridges Outreach
• Clark Police Department
• Community Access Unlimited
• Family & Children Services
• Garwood Police Department
• Urban League of Union County
• Union Police Department
• Kean University Police Department
• Summit Police Department
• New Providence Police Department
• Housing Authority of Plainfield
• Hillside Recreation Department
• Essex County Office of the Public Defender

Prosecutor William Daniel closed the event by inviting attendees to participate in a discussion on "Where do we go from here?" The conversation focused on future steps to continue building a more inclusive community and foster continued growth within Union County.

"This roundtable discussion served as a valuable platform to explore how we can better serve all
members of our community," said Union County Prosecutor William Daniel. "By fostering collaboration between law enforcement, human services providers, and community stakeholders, we can continue developing inclusive and effective responses to those facing mental health challenges and disabilities. By working together, we can continue to ensure that law enforcement has the resources and training necessary to de-escalate situations and connect individuals with the services they need."

Union County Board of County Commissioners Chairwoman Kimberley Palmieri-Mouded echoed Prosecutor Daniel’s sentiments.

"As Chairwoman of the Union County Board of County Commissioners, I was honored to have been a part of this crucial discussion on creating inclusive responses for our community," said Commissioner Chairwoman Kimberly Palmieri-Mouded. "It is imperative that we strive for interactions between law enforcement and individuals with mental health needs and disabilities that are rooted in dignity, respect, and understanding. By creating a collaboration between law enforcement, human services professionals, and community partners, we can ensure that Union County remains a place where everyone feels valued and supported."

"The information and insight shared during this event serve as a guide used to continue to refine our strategies, protocols and programs in order that we better engage with community residents,
particularly at crisis points in their lives. By recognizing and addressing the diverse needs of our
communities, and forming creative partnerships, we can develop strategies that make us all better
responders and leaders," said Debbie Ann Anderson, Director of Human Services.

The Union County Prosecutor’s Office remains committed to working with its partners to create a community where everyone feels safe and supported.