VIDEO: More Funding from Province for Four Local Mobile Crisis Response Teams

Over $985,000 in funding will support teams in Grenville, Leeds OPP detachments, as well as Brockville and Gananoque Police Services

Brockville — As part of its plan to protect Ontario and keep communities safe, the Ontario government is enhancing public safety by investing $985,400 over two years to continue supporting Mobile Crisis Response Teams (MCRT) with two local OPP detachments and two municipal police services, Steve Clark, MPP for Leeds-Grenville- Thousand Islands and Rideau Lakes, announced today.

The funding will enable police to continue working with trained crisis workers to provide the specialized support often needed when interacting with people who are
experiencing a mental health-related crisis.

Video of MPP Steve Clark announcing the funding on Friday:

The funding allocations to support the local teams are:

• $239,950 to the Gananoque Police Service
• $240,000 to the Brockville Police Service
• $240,150 for Leeds County OPP
• $265,300 for Grenville County OPP

Video of Brockville Police Chief Mark Noonan:

“Mobile Crisis Response Teams are one of the best programs I’ve seen to assist the brave men and women of our police services with their increasingly challenging work on the frontlines,” said Clark. “I’m also thankful to Brockville General Hospital and Lanark, Leeds and Grenville Addictions and Mental Health for their support of these specialized teams. Pairing specially trained mental health professionals with police can de-escalate high-risk situations and ensure individuals in crisis and their families get the care and support they need.”

“The MCRT program has proven invaluable for the Brockville Police when managing the mental health and addictions crisis in our community. The program, to date, has reduced the strain on policing resources and provided a professional level of care to members of our community experiencing mental health and addiction challenges,” said Mark Noonan, Chief of Police, Brockville Police Service.

“The MCRT program is about working together with our partners to strengthen public safety and meet the needs of our community,” said Brian Jones, A/Inspector, Detachment Commander, Leeds County OPP.

“The MCRT program is an essential link between policing and compassionate care. By integrating mental health expertise into frontline response, it empowers police to serve more effectively and ensures that our most vulnerable community members receive the support they need,” said Rich Swann, Chief of Police, Gananoque Police Service.

“This initiative reflects the strong collaboration between the Grenville County OPP, Brockville General Hospital, and our community partners. The Mobile Crisis Response Team assists with people experiencing mental health or substance-related crisis, ensuring that together we’re building safer, stronger communities,” said Lisa Nicholas, Inspector, Detachment Commander, Grenville County OPP.

Mobile Crisis Response Teams consist of police officers and crisis workers responding to complex situations where mental health or addictions may be a factor. Supported by the police, crisis workers can help determine whether an individual suspected of experiencing a crisis should be sent to an emergency department for treatment and provide connections to community programming and supports if necessary.

“Our government is taking decisive action to protect Ontario by ensuring police have the tools, resources, and partnerships they need to keep our communities safe,” said Solicitor General Michael Kerzner. “Through this grant, we are equipping police services with the means to strengthen Mobile Crisis Response Teams—made up of police and crisis workers—who are uniquely positioned to respond to people experiencing a mental health or addictions crisis, de-escalating situations that could threaten public safety while connecting vulnerable individuals with the support they need.”