Policy Text
Roll Call Training Bulletin
Produced by: Captain Kaneyuki, Office of Specialized Services Katherine Lester , Chief of Police
Prepared by: Officer Nick Bassett , PSU Volum e 25-19
988 and Behavioral Health Crisis Calls
06-30-2025
The Sacramento Police Department (SPD) is beginning a 90 -day pilot program for police response or
referral to or from the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline or the Community Wellness Response Team
(CWRT). This program will run from 7/1/2025 through 9/2 6/2025, or longer if extended. The SPD will
control and manage all behavioral health calls that require a police response and pose immediate
safety risk or are criminal or suspicious in nature in accordance with department policy.
This program is intended to expand on Roll Call Training Bulleting 25-4 988 and Crisis Lifeline and
provide instruction for utilizing the below resources.
Definitions for the purpose of this program:
988 – The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline provides 24/7 support to people in suicidal crisis or
emotional distress. It is a national hotline offering one -on-one support for mental health, suicide, and
substance use -related problems. 988 is answered by WellSpace Health in Sacramento.
Crisis Counselor - WellSpace Health trained call taker.
CWRT – Community Wellness Response Team – CWRT responds to calls from 988 or law
enforcement officers 24/7 for individuals who may benefit from in -person crisis intervention,
assessment of needs and risks, and safety planning. CWRT provides voluntary transport ation to
urgent and emergent resources, as well as linkage to ongoing services.
Emergency Intervention – Immediate action taken to minimize or eliminate harm caused by a
sudden and unforeseen occurrence, including, but not limited to, a suicide in progress.
Immediate Risk – Imminent risk includes physical violence or aggression towards oneself or others,
which is likely to cause serious bodily harm, including the imminent risk of suicide, as determined by a
risk assessment.
SRFECC – Sacramento Regional Fire Emergency Communications Center
Welfare Check - A service to assess the safety and well -being of individuals who may be in distress
or at risk. This could include checking on someone who has not been seen or heard from in a while,
someone who may be displaying concerning behavior, or someone who has expressed thoughts of
self-harm .
A. NON -VIOLENT CALLS
1. When behavioral health calls are received on 911, non -emergency, or administrative lines, the
dispatchers will make a brief inquiry and assess the nature of the call. When there is no information
indicating an immediate risk or harm likely to occur or criminal/suspicious in nature, the dispatcher
shall:
a. Create an incident in CAD to document pertinent information.
b. Check for any associated safety flags or relevant history in CAD and/or RMS.
c. Warm transfer the caller to 988 for behavioral health assistance.
Roll Call Training Bulletin
Produced by: Captain Kaneyuki, Office of Specialized Services Katherine Lester , Chief of Police
Prepared by: Officer Nick Bassett, PSU Volume 25-19
d. If it is determined that the SPD is not needed, the SPD will disconnect the call after providing the
information outlined in the below section INFORMATION PROVIDED WHEN TRANSFER
OCCURS :
(1) If, during transfer, it is determined that a safety risk has been identified and/or a SPD response
is necessary, SPD will remain in control of the call and enter a call for service according to
agency policy.
(2) When it is reasonable to do so, the dispatcher will remain on the line with the caller and 988 to
obtain and document any pertinent information into the CAD event while continuing to evaluate
the situation for possible SPD response. If, after the transfer, a safety risk is identified, the SPD
dispatcher will resume control of the call.
B. 988 TRANSFER CRITERIA
1. The following criteria should be considered when determining if a caller will be transferred to 988:
a. The caller is in emotional distress but is not in need of emergency services from SPD, including
individuals experiencing suicidal ideations with no immediate risk of harming themselves or others.
b. The caller is seeking a referral to behavioral health resources and is not in need of emergency
services.
2. The caller asks to speak with behavioral health resources that are dispatched by 988, such as mobile
crisis teams.
3. An individual is calling on behalf of another person who is experiencing a behavioral health crisis and is
not in need of emergency services.
4. The caller or other individual does not have access to necessary behavioral health medications or is
experiencing non -emergent issues due to behavioral health medications.
C. TRANSFER PROCESS FROM SPD TO 988
1. When SPD receives a call that is determined to fit the above criteria (Levels 3 and 4 in Attachment 1,
Behavioral Health Crisis System), the SPD dispatcher shall first advise the caller that a crisis counselor
may be better suited to handle the situation. After doing so, the dispatcher shall seek consent from the
caller and/or acknowledgment prior to initiating the transfer to 988.
2. Should the SPD dispatcher need to remain on the landline with the caller for any of the purposes
outlined in this policy, the SPD dispatcher shall announce to the caller that the call is being recorded,
and that the SPD dispatcher will remain on the landli ne until it is appropriate to disconnect.
3. The SPD dispatcher will instruct the caller to remain on the line while the transfer is in