Psychiatric Emergency Response Team (PERT)

MISSION STATEMENT

The Psychiatric Emergency Response Team (PERT) provides humane and beneficial outcomes for mentally disoriented persons who have come to the attention of law enforcement.

PERT teams provide rapid response to in-field officers/deputies requests for assistance with mentally disordered individuals or people in crisis.

The PERT program is designed to return uniformed officers/deputies to patrol duties as quickly as possible.

The PERT team will do an evaluation and assessment, and if appropriate a referral to a community-based resource or treatment facility.

ADVANTAGES OF THE PERT PROGRAM

1. Rapid response for mental health emergencies.
2. Provide de-escalation techniques and management of individuals displaying mentally disordered behavior.
3. Release of uniform officer on scene involving a mentally disordered person.
4. Reduction of out-of-service hours for uniformed officers while responding to the mentally disordered person.
5. Uniformed law enforcement personnel remain in their patrol area and provide traditional law enforcement tasks while PERT teams handle calls involving the mentally disordered.
6. PERT teams transport to various facilities, as client needs dictate.
7. Provide referral services.
8. Cost effective
9. Collaborative working relationship between community law enforcement agencies, Department of Mental Health and PERT Inc.

ABOUT THE STAFF

The PERT team consists of a law enforcement deputy and licensed clinician. Either the deputy or the clinician may place a client on a 72-hour mental health commitment, if appropriate. The PERT team will transport the client to an appropriate community resource or treatment facility.

PERT Inc. currently provides licensed clinicians and training for this program.  PERT Inc. can be reached at (619) 276-8112.

ACCESSING THE PERT TEAM

Community members should contact their local law enforcement agency.

When law enforcement communication centers receive a call involving a mentally disordered person, the dispatcher shall dispatch uniformed officers/deputies as necessary to handle the situation safely. If the information received is sufficient to believe a PERT team should respond, the dispatcher may suggest PERT’s involvement. If upon arrival, the uniformed officer/deputy determines the person to qualify for PERT’s assistance or if the person is suspected of qualifying for a 72-hour mental health commitment, the officer/deputy may request that a PERT team respond.

TO ACCESS A PERT TEAM

For emergencies dial 911

For non-emergencies call the Sheriff’s Communication Center at (858) 565-5200.

WHEN DOES PERT RESPOND

A PERT team may be dispatched if a community member (e.g. family, neighbor, business person) reports an individual in need of psychiatric crisis intervention/assessment, and who has come to the attention of law enforcement.

TYPES OF CALLS FOR THE PERT TEAM

Calls from concerned citizens, business or family members for persons in need of psychiatric crisis intervention/assessment.