Behavioral Health Team

In June 2023, the Town of Hamburg Police Department launched a Behavioral Health Team, including a Licensed Mental Health Provider, who works alongside police patrol officers to respond to ongoing mental health calls. This team also provides follow-up support to connect individuals with necessary resources. Co-response models have been shown to enhance officers' understanding and training regarding the mental health system and available community resources. Additionally, these models help reduce incarceration rates and involvement in the criminal justice system, lower unnecessary hospitalizations, facilitate immediate access to community resources, strengthen community relations, and promote officer wellness.

The Town of Hamburg's Behavioral Health Team consists of 11 to 12 officers with specialized knowledge in mental health and the behavioral health care system. Each platoon includes 1 to 2 officers available to respond to ongoing behavioral health calls. The officers, in collaboration with a clinician, address a variety of active 911 calls and follow up on cases involving individuals experiencing a mental health crisis, those involved in critical incidents, fatalities, suicide attempts, or completed suicides. They also evaluate Extreme Risk Protection Orders (ERPO) and make death notifications.

For questions regarding the Behavioral Health Unit or for more information on co-response models, please contact.

Captain Todd Ehret (716) 648-5111 ext. 2614

Lt. Patrick Murphy (716) 648-5111 ext. 2569

Jill Polinski, LCSW (716) 648-5111 ext. 2511