North Gwinnett News

The Gwinnett County Police Department Behavioral Health Unit is set  to expand from two to 12 employees by the end of the year, aiming to  have more coverage to respond to mental health calls.

According to a recent report by FOX 5 Atlanta,  Gwinnett County Police Corporal Tracy Reed, who leads the department’s  new Behavioral Health Unit, said it is great to have someone immediately  out there to help provide de-escalation strategies. By partnering with  clinicians and social workers, she said it is beneficial to those in  crisis to see that they are not just surrounded by police. 

"I've  worked on some amazing units, and I've done some really wonderful stuff  as a police officer and I have to say this last year has been probably  the most rewarding," Cpl. Reed told FOX 5 Atlanta.

According to  the report, Reed, who boasts more than a decade of police experience,  partners not with another police officer, but rather with a licensed  clinical social worker.

Since the unit was created last year, the  team has responded to hundreds of calls, including the March Interstate  85 Greyhound bus standoff that was resolved peacefully by the unit, the  report stated.

In addition to helping with "in the moment" issues,  the unit also devotes a lot of time to following up with patients to  ensure they are receiving the necessary support, FOX 5 reported.