Windsor Police, healthcare providers partner for 24/7 crisis support

WINDSOR POLICE NEWS RELEASE

Windsor Police, healthcare providers partner for 24/7 crisis support

The Windsor Police Service partnered with Hôtel-Dieu Grace Healthcare, Windsor Regional Hospital, Essex-Windsor Emergency Medical Services, and the Canadian Mental Health Association yesterday to announce expanded services at the Mental Health and Addictions Urgent Crisis Centre (MHAUCC).

As part of this expansion, the Windsor Police will now have access to the MHAUCC’s services 24 hours a day, seven days a week. This will allow our officers to more quickly and efficiently transition care of voluntary individuals in crisis to subject matter experts.

“Extraordinary challenges require innovative solutions,” said Windsor Police Chief Jason Bellaire. “This enhanced collaboration will provide compassionate specialized cross-sectoral services and care to people in crisis. At the same time, it will free up police personnel to focus on urgent calls and proactive community policing.”

The need for mental health crisis interventions has never been greater. Since January 1, 2025, apprehensions under the Ontario Mental Health Act have increased by over 50% in Windsor compared to the same time last year. 

The expanded services at the MHAUCC will fill a significant service gap for both our first responder eco-system and for our community. It will also build on the success of other Windsor Police-led, community-focused initiatives such as the Nurse Police Team and Crisis Response Team, which pair frontline police officers with health professionals to deliver immediate care to individuals in crisis and connect them with support services.