The Receiving Center is Offering Cincinnati Police a New Option
- dmichaels54
- 23 hours ago
- 3 min read
A pilot program in collaboration with GCBHS and the Cincinnati Police Department, the Receiving Center serves as a space to triage, assess, treat, and coordinate next steps for care for individuals experiencing a behavioral health crisis.
On December 1st, Greater Cincinnati Behavioral Health Services (GCBHS) officially opened the Crisis Receiving Center located within the Hamilton County Crisis Center. The Receiving Center is a pilot program between GCBHS, and the Cincinnati Police Department, and is funded by the Hamilton County Mental Health and Recovery Services Board. It serves as a space to triage, assess, treat, and coordinate next steps for care for individuals experiencing a behavioral health crisis.
“The Receiving Center allows officers to bring individuals to a safe, specialized environment for assessment, treatment, and coordination of next steps, rather than defaulting to a hospital emergency room or jail. This approach not only connects people to experienced behavioral health professionals but also allows our officers to return to service knowing the individual is in capable hands. Programs like this reflect our commitment to smart policing and strengthening partnerships that better serve our community.”
ADAM D. HENNIE, INTERIM POLICE CHIEF
CINCINNATI POLICE DEPARTMENT
The program is accessible to law enforcement 24 hours a day, seven days a week. It provides officers with an additional resource when responding to a situation which may involve someone with a mental health or substance use disorder.
Officers bring individuals to the Receiving Center (instead of a hospital or jail) if they believe the person needs a behavioral health assessment. This affords them the opportunity to take the person to a place with experienced personnel and then they can return to duty knowing the person is in safe hands.
Initially, the program served officers in District 1 and the Central Business District but recently expanded to District 4, with additional districts being added soon. According to Jesse Meece, Director of the Receiving Center, “Law Enforcement officers are often the first to encounter individuals experiencing a behavioral health crisis. Our expansion into the remaining police districts strengthens our partnership with CPD, providing officers with a trusted, therapeutic alternative that prioritizes safety, crisis management, and dignity for individuals in our community experiencing a behavioral health crisis.”
Sam’s* experience shows how the program can help law enforcement. Sam was sleeping in his car and the car alarm continued to go off, which concerned people in the neighborhood, who then called police. Sam admitted to officers that he had been up for days due to a stimulant use disorder, but because he was open to treatment, police were able to take him to the Receiving Center as opposed to the emergency room or jail. Sam was assessed that night and after being diagnosed with a co-occurring mood disorder, was linked to substance use disorder services and sober living within ten hours.
Another benefit is that GCBHS has been able to reconnect with individuals who have disengaged from services. This is important because many of these patients have high level needs but often “disappear” making it difficult to get them their medication, which is vital to their mental health stability. Being able to engage through law enforcement ensures their overall safety and well-being.
*Name changed to protect privacy.
About the Hamilton County Crisis Center
The Hamilton County Crisis Center provides services under one roof for in-patient SUD treatment, crisis stabilization services, pharmacy, and primary care if needed. It is a collaboration between the Hamilton County Mental Health & Recovery Services Board, Greater Cincinnati Behavioral Health Services, Talbert House, Central Connection, and Genoa Pharmacy.
