Toronto Police Service Board
40 College Street
Toronto, ON Canada M5G 2J3
Dear Members of the Board,
I write in collaboration with Sarah Flogen, the Executive Director of the Canadian Federation of Mental Health Nurses.
We are deeply concerned regarding recent comments made by the Chief of Police that he intends to end the Mobile Crisis Intervention Team program (MCIT).
MCIT fills an important public safety need where a high-risk situation necessitates police attendance but should primarily be treated as a mental health crisis. The program produces significantly better outcomes by ensuring that specially trained police officers and nurses attend these calls to deescalate volatile situations and provide immediate diversion that often eliminates the need for apprehension. This gives nurses access to patients in situations where they would otherwise be excluded due to safety risks, it “decriminalizes” mental health crises by reducing the need for police detention, and it saves police substantial time and resources.
The primary rationale that has been given for the elimination of MCIT is the creation of the Toronto Community Crisis Service (TCCS). While the TCCS is a vital addition to the suite of tools available to respond to mental health crises, it does not currently serve people with acute suicidality, suicidality with a weapon, intoxication of any substance, psychotic depression, or children under age 16. We agree that there are opportunities to realign what kinds of cases are assigned to each program, but TCCS is not designed nor equipped to respond to cases where someone poses a high-risk threat to themselves or others.
We understand that Chief Demkiw has now said that there will be consultations before any final decision is taken to eliminate MCIT. This consultation would be an excellent opportunity to
ensure that both MCIT and TCCS are adequately staffed and resourced, and that their mandates are aligned so that there is no gap in service.
We are seeking the support of the Board for the Mobile Crisis Intervention Team program and an endorsement for a full consultation process.
Sincerely,
Councillor Josh Matlow
City Councillor
Toronto – St. Paul's
Sarah Flogen
Executive Director
Canadian Federation of Mental Health Nurses