The Ottawa Police Department and the Elizabeth Layton Center have announced the hiring of a Crisis Co-Responder and Community Police Officer to assist in the mental health needs of citizens. Officer Adam Seyler, a Central Heights and Ottawa University graduate and a six year veteran of the force, will be the Community Police Officer and Megan Thomas, who has eight years experience in criminal justice, will the the Crisis Co-Responder. Police Chief Adam Weingartner on how the two will be used:
In October 2021 the department was awarded a Federal Grant to create the Community Policing Unit, consisting of one Community Police Officer and one Crisis-Co-Responder. The department is partnering with the Elizabeth Layton Center for the Co-Responder. May is Mental Health Awareness Month. Chief Weingartner will be our guest this week on Community Perspective. Tune in Sunday morning at 8:04 to hear more about the Community Policing Unit.
