Ask anyone working in law enforcement or behavioral health what’s really driving 911 call volume, and you’ll likely get the same answer: mental health, homelessness, and substance use crises. Some studies estimate that up to 31% of police contacts frequently require expertise beyond traditional policing, and that number may be conservative. That’s where the top 3 co-responder programs come in: models that show what’s possible when we pair law enforcement with mental health professionals to respond together, in real time, to people in need.
And yet, these programs aren’t just about pairing a badge with a clipboard. They’re about de-escalating complex situations, keeping people out of jail and the ER, and building long-term bridges to care. In many communities, EMS is also part of these co-responder teams.
It’s a compelling question: What are the top 3 most influential co-responder programs in the United States? In this article, we break it down, highlighting the standout teams setting the national standard for crisis response done right.
Number 1: Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department: A Pioneer in Co-Response
Mental Evaluation Team (MET): A National Blueprint
Founded in 1991, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department (LASD) established the first Mental Evaluation Team (MET), marking the nation’s first formal co-responder initiative. This program pairs trained deputies with mental health clinicians to provide joint responses to calls involving mental health crises. Officers typically work in plain clothes and receive extensive de-escalation training.
The MET’s objectives include reducing use-of-force incidents, avoiding unnecessary arrests, and linking individuals to voluntary mental health care. These goals reflect a humane, collaborative approach to crisis intervention that has since influenced hundreds of programs across the country.
Expanding the Model: HOST and VMET Teams
LASD expanded its efforts through specialized units like:
- HOST (Homeless Outreach Services Team): Connects unhoused individuals to services without criminalizing homelessness.
- VMET (Veterans Mental Evaluation Team): Focuses on veterans in crisis, pairing deputies—often veterans themselves—with clinicians from the Department of Veterans Affairs.
By building teams tailored to specific populations, LASD has shown how a modular co-response model can evolve alongside community needs.
Measurable Impact and Longevity
With over three decades of operation, LASD’s co-response program exemplifies the sustainability and adaptability of these initiatives. Its influence is evident in the dozens of jurisdictions that have adopted similar structures.
Number 2: Houston Police Department: Specialization at Scale
Crisis Intervention Response Team (CIRT) Overview
Serving over 2.3 million residents, the Houston Police Department’s Crisis Intervention Response Team (CIRT) is among the most active in the country. Launched in 2008, CIRT pairs CIT-trained officers with master’s-level clinicians from The Harris Center for Mental Health and IDD.
In 2020 alone, the department’s Mental Health Division handled over 45,000 CIT-related calls. Of those, more than 5,400 were responded to by CIRT units. This data reflects both a high community demand and the program’s operational capacity.
Integrated Programs: CCD, HOT, and SJAC
Houston has developed a full Mental Health Division that includes:
- Crisis Call Diversion (CCD): Diverts non-urgent mental health calls before dispatching responders.
- Homeless Outreach Team (HOT): Placed 133 individuals into shelter or housing in 2020.
- Senior Justice Assessment Center (SJAC): Addresses crises among older adults with specialized care.
These components showcase how co-responder programs can be part of a layered and preventive response system.
Commitment to Training and Department-Wide Culture
Houston invests heavily in ongoing training for officers and clinicians. Its CIT Unit offers continual professional development, and officers often volunteer personal time for extra mental health training, a testament to the culture shift the program has fostered within the department.
Award-Winning Results
Houston’s CIRT program earned the 2021 Community Impact Award from the Omaha Police Foundation, reflecting its national leadership and positive outcomes. These recognitions and metrics make it a standout model for large urban agencies.
Number 3: Johnson County, Kansas: Growth Through Embedded Integration
Embedded Co-Responders in Law Enforcement
Johnson County, Kansas, with a suburban population of over 600,000, operates one of the fastest-growing co-responder programs. As of 2021, it had 11 embedded co-responders integrated directly into police departments, including Shawnee and Merriam.
This model allows for real-time collaboration, with clinicians like Kate Coleman riding alongside officers and providing on-the-scene mental health intervention.
Rapid Expansion Driven by Results
The program’s call volume grew from 1,022 in 2019 to 2,260 in 2021—a 121% increase in just three years. This growth, fueled by demonstrated results, has led to even more law enforcement agencies adopting the embedded model.
Focus on Continuity of Care
Unlike traditional emergency response systems, Johnson County’s program emphasizes follow-up. Co-responders maintain contact with individuals after a crisis, helping ensure long-term stability and reducing repeated calls to 911.
Endorsements from Law Enforcement Leaders
Merriam Police Chief Darren McLaughlin called the program “one of the most impactful things to happen in his 33-year career.” Such endorsements highlight the tangible improvements in safety and effectiveness that co-response offers.
Comparing The Top 3 Co-Responder Programs
Population Served and Program Size
- Los Angeles County: Serves 10 million residents; multiple specialized teams.
- Houston: Covers 2.3 million; extensive call volume and layered support services.
- Johnson County: Suburban population of 600,000; fastest growth trajectory.
Operational Models
- LASD: Specialization by demographic need (e.g., veterans, unhoused individuals).
- Houston: Centralized Mental Health Division with multiple intervention layers.
- Johnson County: Embedded model with strong focus on post-crisis engagement.
Outcomes and Impact
All three programs report reductions in unnecessary hospitalizations and arrests, accompanied by increases in connections to mental health services and housing. The success of these programs suggests the replicability of co-response models across various geographic and demographic settings.
Key Takeaways for Communities Considering Co-Responder Programs
- Interagency Collaboration is Essential: Each successful program relies on strong partnerships between law enforcement and mental health providers.
- Program Flexibility Enables Growth: Whether it’s specialization like LASD, scale like Houston, or integration like Johnson County, tailoring models to community needs is key.
- Ongoing Training is Crucial: Effective crisis intervention requires continual skill development.
- Data-Driven Results Build Support: Measurable outcomes foster stakeholder buy-in and long-term investment.
Looking Ahead: The Future of Crisis Response
As mental health needs rise and communities demand better alternatives to traditional law enforcement responses, co-responder models are proving to be scalable, effective, and humane. Whether responding to mental illness, substance use, or homelessness, these programs offer a better way forward.
With tools like Julota’s secure, interoperable co-responder platform, agencies can work together more efficiently, tracking outcomes, coordinating care, and building safer communities. See how Julota supports whole-person care.
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