City Beginning to Format Police Partnership with Mental Health Professionals

Hiawatha Valley Mental Health Centers Executive Director Erik Sievers.

(KWNO) The City of Winona and Hiawatha Valley Mental Health Centers have begun planning the partnership with police and mental health professionals.

Hiawatha Valley Executive Director Eric Sievers told KWNO the rough goal is to put the partnership into action by the spring of this year. Officials will iron out criteria that will determine which calls health professionals respond to and whether or not they will be accompanied by a police officer.

Last year, the City Council approved funding for a partnership between police and professionals from Hiawatha Valley Mental Health. Officials say the goal of the program is to reduce the number of mental health calls officers are responding to and to better serve citizens dealing with mental health crises.