Kamloops RCMP working on providing third officer for new Integrated Crisis Response Teams

KAMLOOPS — Following last week’s announcement of an expansion to newly-named Integrated Crisis Response Team, formerly Car 40, the Kamloops RCMP say it’s working to put forward another office to make three full teams that will operate from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. in the new year.

Car 40 is operating currently with two RCMP officers and one mental health nurse, but Supt. Jeff Pelley says the Kamloops detachment is working with Interior Health to have the three teams in place as soon as possible.

“We are working closely with Interior Health with their nurse complement and how we’re going to succeed with the coverage and the mandate of the program,” Pelley said.

There were some concerned expressed last week by city councillor Bill Sarai about where the 17,000 calls for mental health services in 2021 were coming from. Pelley says they were calls from across the region.

“It was a combination of the service delivery in the area through Kamloops, Kelowna and Williams Lake. We do understand there are other needs and calls that may occur after those time frames and we’ll be continually assessing those to determine where we can be most effective.”

Pelley wouldn’t elaborate any further on the possibility of 24/7 coverage of the crisis response teams.