Social workers accompanying Hemet police officers for mental health calls

March 27, 2026 - 13:40

The Hemet Police Department has unveiled a new collaborative unit designed to transform its response to mental health crises. The initiative partners police detectives with licensed clinical social workers from Riverside University Health Systems–Behavioral Health to jointly respond to calls involving mental health issues.

This co-response model, known as the Mental Health Evaluation Team (MHET), aims to de-escalate situations and connect individuals in crisis with appropriate care and resources rather than focusing solely on law enforcement solutions. The embedded social workers can conduct immediate assessments and provide critical follow-up, addressing the root causes of emergencies.

Officials state that the program allows for a more compassionate and effective approach to complex calls that often involve substance abuse, homelessness, or psychiatric conditions. By having a clinician on scene, the team can make informed decisions about the least restrictive path forward, whether that is referral to treatment, connection to services, or, when necessary, transportation to a facility for evaluation.

The department believes this partnership will improve outcomes for vulnerable residents while reducing the strain on police resources and emergency rooms. The MHET unit began operations earlier this month and represents a significant shift toward integrating public health strategies into community policing.