Omaha Records Over 4,000 Mental‑Health 911 Calls in First Four Months, Expands Co‑Responder Program

**TL;DR** From January to April 11, Omaha police logged more than 4,000 mental‑health‑related 911 calls, and nearly half of officers have completed crisis‑intervention training. The department is expanding its co‑responder program to meet rising demand.

**Context** The Omaha Police Department began embedding mental health professionals in precincts about nine years ago as a pilot. The effort aims to steer people experiencing behavioral health crises toward care rather than arrest. Lindsay Kroll, the department’s mental health coordinator, oversees the co‑responder model.

**Key Facts** - Over 4,000 mental‑health‑related 911 calls were recorded between Jan. 1 and Apr. 11. - Nearly 50 % of Omaha police officers have finished Crisis Response Intervention Team (CRIT) training. - Kroll said the yearly volume of 911 calls with a behavioral health component continues to rise.

**What It Means** The call volume shows a growing need for specialized response. While no randomized controlled trial has evaluated Omaha’s specific program, observational cohort studies of similar co‑responder models (e.g., a 2022 Denver analysis of 1,200 calls) have linked such teams to lower arrest rates and faster connections to treatment.

Residents can request a CRIT‑trained officer when calling 911 and are encouraged to use the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline for non‑emergency support.

Watch for the department’s next quarterly report on call outcomes and any expansion of the co‑responder team to additional precincts.