WHAT:
The Los Angeles Police Department’s Systemwide Mental Assessment Team (S.M.A.R.T.) to Receive Mental Illness and Law Enforcement System (M.I.L.E.S.) Award.

WHEN:
Wednesday, October 23, 2002
7:00 a.m. to 12 noon

WHERE:
Faith Community Church
1211 East Badillo Street
West Covina, CA

Los Angeles: The Los Angeles Police Department’s Systemwide Mental Assessment Team (S.M.A.R.T.), a collaborative program that pairs specially trained law enforcement officers with mental health clinicians, will receive this year’s "Extra M.I.L.E.S. Recognition Award" for providing quality mental health services to Los Angeles residents in crisis.

One of five such programs managed by the Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health, the Los Angeles Police Department’s S.M.A.R.T. program was established to assist officers when they encounter mentally ill individuals. Last year, S.M.A.R.T. units responded to thousands of radio calls, which greatly reduced inappropriate incarcerations and hospitalizations. Available on an around-the-clock basis, the S.M.A.R.T program has proven to be a valuable resource to LAPD officers.

The Mental Illness and Law Enforcement Systems (M.I.L.E.S) is a partnership between the San Gabriel Valley Police Chiefs Association, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department and Pacific Clinics, a non-profit mental healthcare agency. This year’s conference topic is "Compassion Fatigue." Working together, mental healthcare and law enforcement professionals provide a "safety net" of services to people with mental illness, and their families.

For further information, contact Lindy Russell, Public Affairs Coordinator of Pacific Clinics, at 626-254-5023.

This press release was prepared by Officer Jack Richter, Media Relations Section, 213-485-3586.