Ontario Investing in Mobile Crisis Response Teams
September 26, 2025
Peterborough Police Service and Peterborough County OPP Secure Combined Provincial Funding to Expand Crisis Response Teams
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
PETERBOROUGH, ON – In a joint effort to enhance community safety and support for residents in crisis, the Peterborough Police Service and the Peterborough County OPP have received significant funding from the Government of Ontario’s Mobile Crisis Response Team (MCRT) Enhancement Grant. The total provincial investment of over $426,000 will be allocated over two years (2025-2026 and 2026-2027) to expand the reach and capacity of Mobile Crisis Response Teams (MCRTs) in the Peterborough region.
The funding is part of a broader provincial initiative, which is distributing approximately $9 million to 36 police services and OPP detachments to strengthen police and health partnerships and improve outcomes for people experiencing a mental health or addictions crisis.
The Peterborough Police Service has been granted $240,000 to create a third Mobile Crisis Intervention Team (MCIT). This new team will be a partnership with the Peterborough Regional Health Centre (PRHC) and will consist of a Registered Practical Nurse (RPN) and a police officer. This team will join the two existing MCITs—which partner officers with mental health workers from the Canadian Mental Health Association Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge (CMHA-HKPR)—to provide increased availability for immediate and follow-up responses. This expansion is crucial, as mental health and addictions occurrences have increased by 38% in the city over the last three years.
Separately, the Peterborough County OPP has been awarded $186,860.34 to expand its own Mobile Crisis Response Team. This investment will enable the OPP to establish a second team, pairing police officers with trained crisis workers from CMHA-HKPR, to deliver live crisis response across the vast 4,000 km² region. This new team will improve pathways and connections to essential services for those in crisis, supporting de-escalation and better outcomes for all involved.
Quotes:
“This combined investment is excellent news for the entire Peterborough community,” said Dave Smith, Member of Provincial Parliament for Peterborough-Kawartha. “Our government’s commitment to these programs is a critical step in ensuring that people in crisis receive the compassionate, specialized support they need, whether they are in the city or the county. It empowers
our police officers and crisis workers to collaborate effectively, leading to better public safety and well-being for everyone.”
“I would like to extend my sincere thanks to the provincial government for the opportunity to expand our program,” said Chief Stuart Betts of the Peterborough Police Service. “This partnership will increase our capacity to respond to mental health calls with the right people at the right time. We are also thrilled to connect with PRHC in this way, as it will allow us to build on our Police-Hospital Transition Protocol, with the goal of reducing repeat emergency department visits and increasing the well-being of individuals in our community.”
“This grant will enable the OPP to expand its Mobile Crisis Response Teams (MCRT), allowing us to improve pathways and connections to necessary services for those experiencing crisis,” said Inspector Chris Galeazza, Detachment Commander, Peterborough County OPP. “When police and health partners can continue working together through initiatives like this, safety is improved, and we see better outcomes for everyone.”
“The Mobile Crisis Intervention Team model has a proven history of success, providing mental health crisis care in our community when and where it is needed most,” said Sean Martin, Vice President, PRHC. “We are pleased to have this vital partnership with Peterborough Police Service expand further, thanks to this critical investment by the government of Ontario.”
“We’re proud to receive this enhancement grant to expand live crisis response across the 4,000 km² region served by the OPP,” said Calli Lorente, Manager of Integrated Crisis Services with the CMHA-HKPR. “With a second team in place, we can respond in real time to support those experiencing crisis. This timely response allows for a stronger connection to the person and a more appropriate connection to the right service. The expansion is exciting as it supports positive outcomes in all aspects of the community.”
Quick Facts:
- Mobile Crisis Response Teams consist of police officers and crisis workers working together to respond to complex situations where mental health or addictions may be a factor.
- Crisis workers, supported by police, can assess if an individual should be sent to an emergency department for treatment or provide referrals to community programs.
- The funding is part of Ontario’s Roadmap to Wellness, which aims to build and improve the province’s mental health and addictions system.
- Between January 2022 and December 2024, Peterborough Police Service officers responded to 3,140 mental health and addictions occurrences, a 38% increase over the previous three years.