OPP to create mobile crisis response team

Northumberland OPP Cruiser. By Dan Jones, Northumberland 89.7 FM, LJI

Northumberland OPP are forming a mobile crisis response team.

The nearly $240,000 in provincial funding will enable police to work with trained crisis workers to provide the specialized support often needed when interacting with people who are experiencing a mental health-related crisis.

“This grant will enable the OPP to expand its Mental Health Engagement and Response Team (MHEART) here in Northumberland County and Mobile Crisis Response Teams (MCRT) across the province, allowing us to improve pathways and connections to necessary services for those experiencing crisis. When police and health partners can continue working together through initiatives like this, safety is improved, and we see better outcomes for everyone,” said Mike Cavanagh, Detachment Commander, Northumberland OPP.

For 2025-26 and 2026-27, 36 police services and OPP detachments will receive approximately $9 million through the Mobile Crisis Response Team Enhancement Grant to increase the capacity of mobile crisis response teams across the province.