GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) – Police departments nationwide continue to face many of the same problems on a daily basis and Green Bay is no different.
Issues of race relations and crimes that are connected with mental health disorders are a continual concern.
Since becoming the city’s Chief of Police in February, Andrew Smith started implementing solutions to help correct some of those matters with the ultimate goal of reducing crime.
This year, 6 officers have been put on a special 90 day assignment.
“All they do, each of these officers, is work on mental health issues, go out in the community, deal with mental health people, deal with individuals that have issues with mental health,” says Smith.
The chief expects to select 2 officers to work full-time in mental health outreach. Smith says that’s because the specialty is large enough to warrant it.
“In my perfect world they’d have a clinician assigned to each of them as well, but those officers are going to go out and deal with those folks dealing with mental health crises and hopefully come to some kind of resolution, instead of just bringing them in for a 72 hour hold and then having them be released and having it be a revolving door. Hopefully, we can find some answers to get some people some stability,” explains Smith.
When it comes to race relations, the chief says it’s important that the department is able to deal with the various neighborhoods within the city. Which is why they are reaching out and meeting with communities, listening to their concerns and working together to help solve problems they’re facing.
The department has also hired several officers who are minorities.
“We are actively outreaching for minority candidates. We are trying to have a department that mirrors the population here in Green Bay. I don’t think we’re there yet but we are definitely moving in that direction,” says Smith.
