Community Response Unit
Community Response Unit (CRU)
The Community Response Unit (CRU) was established in 2016 as a Mental Health Response Unit in Lindsay between the Ross Memorial Hospital and the Kawartha Lakes Police. Following a successful one-year pilot, the unit was renamed the Community Response Unit and has expanded to include several positions within the unit.
The Community Response Unit’s growth aligns with the Community Safety and Well Being Plan for the City of Kawartha Lakes, focusing on mental health and addictions. Partnered with Ross Memorial Hospital and Fourcast Addiction Services the unit aims to connect individuals with services and resources to break the cycle of addictions and untreated mental health crises.
Community Services Officer (CSO)
The Community Services Officer is responsible for delivery of the elementary safety programs for children by way of a classroom and practical application learning experience. Presentations related to other issues pertaining to school violence, and personal safety programs. The CSO will also liaise with school board officials, school staff, and other areas of the Service in relation to policing and school related issues and incidents.
Programs offered include:
Elmer the Safety Elephant: Grades 1 to 3
Personal Safety: Grades 1 to 3
Internet Safety: Grades 3 and 4
Bullying: Grades 5 to 7
Substance Abuse: Grade 6
Healthy Relationships: Grades 5 to 7
Values, Influences, and Peers (V.I.P.) Program
Kids and Kops Camp: Big Brothers and Sisters
In addition, the CSO actively participates in and provides leadership for various community-based committees and agencies.
Community Response Officer - Mental Health and Addictions
Officers in this role are partnered with a mental health nurse or an addictions counsellor, and conduct outreach services for members of the community and support front-line patrol officers with goals to:
Reduce Emergency Department Visits: By providing timely and appropriate mental health and addictions support, the CRU aims to reduce the number of emergency department visits.
Reduce Calls to Police: The unit works to address mental health and addictions issues proactively, reducing the need for police intervention.
Connect Individuals to Support: The officer helps individuals access the necessary support services, including mental health counseling, addiction treatment, and socialservices.
Foster Community Relationships: Building strong relationships within the community is key to the CRU’s success, fostering trust and collaboration.
Improve Quality of Life: By addressing mental health and addictions issues, the CRU aims to improve the overall quality of life for community members.
Bail Compliance Management Officer
The Bail Compliance Management Officer:
Management of Charged Persons: This officer is responsible for managing individuals who have been charged with offences and released into the community on bail or other forms of release.
Monitoring and Compliance: Ensuring that individuals adhere to their bail conditions is a key responsibility, helping to maintain public safety.