Equity and access of a civilian-based crisis response model.

Abstract

Criticisms of police use of force policies and the over policing of communities of color have generated calls to reallocate part of the funding that routinely goes to police departments to fund more social welfare programs. In particular, analysts and policy makers have supported the implementation of alternative crisis response programs, such as the use of unarmed behavioral health workers, to reduce police contact and improve mental health service provision to citizens. The present study examined the extent to which one such civilian-based 911 diversion program in St. Petersburg, Florida, called the Community Assistance and Life Liaison program, provides equitable access to communities in need. Through analysis of contact data (N = 6,653 contacts with residents) and zip code-level Census data of community characteristics, we found that the program diverted 37% of the noncrime crisis calls coming through the emergency communication line. The program additionally engaged in a substantial number of proactive and follow-up contacts, responded to a diverse group of individuals, and disproportionately served communities showing higher drivers of inequity. At the same time, notable disparities were found in that fewer follow-up services and nonlive referrals (e.g., officer or proactive contacts) were provided by Community Assistance and Life Liaison program to communities with higher poverty rates, Black youth were less likely to be diverted from police contact, and communities with more Black and non-U.S. citizen residents were less likely to receive live dispatch contacts from the program. Implications and recommendations for reducing over policing and health disparities are provided. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).