HARRISONBURG, VA (Rocktown Now) – The Harrisonburg Police Department (HPD) announced the launch of its new co-responder program, with the hiring of a Co-Responder Mental Health Clinician, Raz Ahmed, to respond alongside officers to crisis-related calls-for-service.

Calls involving behavioral health issues are among HPD’s most frequent calls for service, often requiring multiple officers and extended response times. Once fully operational, this program will allow the clinician to respond with officers to behavioral health-related calls to de-escalate crises, reduce arrests and hospitalizations, and connect individuals to treatment and support while improving service delivery and
community outcomes.

Program Goals:

  • Connect people in crisis to mental health and substance use services
  • Provide follow-up after release from hospitals or jails
  • Enhance officer training on mental health response
  • Improve data sharing across local mental health and justice partners