By Mike Finney

DOVER — A partnership between the Dover Police Department and the Dover Behavioral Health System has quietly been taking place in the city over the past two weeks.

Together, the organizations have come together to create a Dover Police Behavioral Health Unit that combines community policing with the knowledge of clinical field partners.

Dover Police Chief Thomas Johnson introduced members of his newest policing unit to members of Dover City Council at their meeting Monday night.

Chief Johnson said Patrolman First Class Michael Simpkiss, a four-year veteran, volunteered to take part in the program. He will be joined by fellow Patrolman First Class Thomas Rivera, a six-year veteran of the Dover police.

“Their job is to work in conjunction with and provide information, intelligence, safety and security for their clinical field partner,” said Chief Johnson.

They will be joined in the field by their new cohorts from the Dover Behavioral Health System, Watara Heath, Vasile Mihai Rus and Julie Collins.

“I’m really excited tonight,” Chief Johnson said. “This kind of brings this program full circle. This has been in development for quite some time.

“We have been long trying to find a formal way to staff alternative solutions for certain situations, particularly with individuals who might be experiencing some type of a behavioral health problem, whether that be mental health or substance abuse.

“You’re basically looking at a program that provides community policing and critical field partners between the organizations of the Dover Police Department and the Dover Behavioral Health System.”

The idea behind the collaboration between law enforcement and mental health and substance abuse partners is to avoid simply trying to arrest their way out of encounters, and find help for individuals in need.

“I’m excited for this program because I see how it’s effective in communities,” Ms. Watara Heath said.

Dover City Councilman Ralph Taylor served on Dover’s police force and applauded the introduction of the new teams.

“This community has needed you for a very long time,” Mr. Taylor said. “Now that you’re here, you have our unwavering support. If there is anything that you need, anything at all, please just reach out.

“We’re going to do everything that we can to get you the tools that you need.”

The combination of police officers and mental health workers is a growing trend across the country in hopes that the “team” approach can help to diffuse multiple scenarios.

Chief Johnson told members of city council that his officers are sure to pick up some pointers from their new clinical partners and vice versa.

“We’re there to do our role and they’re there to do theirs,” the chief said. “They’re going to pick up some things in situations outside of the clinical setting and we’re going pick up on some things that help to resolve a situation.

“Some of these encounters start as a police event and then we will introduce the clinical professional and substance-abuse professional as soon as we can. Some encounters will be the exact opposite.

“Once we provide service and try to make a difference, there will be a follow-up visit to make sure that cases are managed appropriately by themselves and by the appropriate entity.”