Police and Crisis Team
The Police and Crisis Team (PACT) is a collaborative partnership between the Lethbridge Police Service (LPS) and Alberta Health Services (AHS), Mental Health and Addictions.
LPS officers and trained AHS health professionals are paired together to:
- Attend and diffuse crisis situations for individuals experiencing addictions and/or mental health issues
- Liaise with Chinook Regional Hospital to advocate for possible admissions
- Provide consultation with various community agencies, AHS services and police members for complex case planning and management
- Connect or reconnect individuals to new or pre-existing services related to mental health or addictions
- Connect individuals to various housing and financial services, when needed
- Provide short term monitoring until individuals can be connected with the appropriate community-based resources
PACT aims to create positive outcomes for individuals and families struggling with addictions and/or mental illnesses.
Form 8: Mental Health Warrants
When someone is experiencing a serious mental health crisis, family members, friends or others close to them may be concerned about their safety and well-being, particularly if the individual is unwilling or unable to seek help.
Under the Alberta Mental Health Act, anyone may apply for a Form 8 Mental Health Warrant by presenting information under oath before a judge of the Alberta Court of Justice.
The person applying for the warrant must have reasonable and probable grounds to believe that the individual:
- Is suffering from a mental disorder AND, within a reasonable time, is likely to cause harm to others or suffer negative effects, including substantial mental or physical deterioration or serious physical impairment as a result of, or related to, the mental disorder
OR
- Is subject to a Community Treatment Order and is not complying with the order.
If the judge is satisified that the legal requirements have been met, a warrant may be issued authorizing a peace officer to locate the individual and transport them to the closest designated facility for assessment. At the facility, qualified health professionals will evaluate the individual and determine if they should be admitted.
For more details about the process of applying for a Mental Health Warrant in Lethbridge, please refer to the Form 8 Mental Health Warrant Information Guide.
Contact
For more information, PACT can be reached by phone at 403-330-5142 during business hours.
If your call is urgent and assistance is required immediately, call 9-1-1.