RCMP police agencies in East Kootenay now using HealthIM

Police agencies, health-care providers and people in crisis in the East Kootenay will benefit from the launch of HealthIM, a digital public-safety tool to support officer response to people in crisis.

HealthIM is a digital public-safety system to improve emergency police response in mental-health and addiction-crisis situations, increasing safety for first responders, health-care providers and the person in crisis. By facilitating better communication, HealthIM aims to help officers gain insight into the factors behind a person’s behaviour, leading to more informed and compassionate interactions.

In partnership with Interior Health, HealthIM launched in the Columbia Valley, Cranbrook, Creston, Elk Valley, Golden and Kimberley on Feb. 25.

“Rolling out HealthIM across the Southeast District is a practical step forward in how we support people in crisis. For our smaller detachments where members often juggle limited resources and large response areas, this tool helps give clearer information up front, improves member safety and helps us share more consistent details with our health-care partners so everyone is working from the same picture,” stated Chief Supt. Shawna Baher, BC RCMP Southeast District Commander.

“HealthIM has proven to be a valuable asset to help police officers safely and effectively de-escalate complex situations by promoting safer interactions with people in crisis,” said Nina Krieger, Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General.

“Our government will continue to make meaningful investments to support law enforcement in responding to a mental-health or substance-use emergency. I am pleased to see this initiative continue being implemented in police services throughout the province.”

“When someone is experiencing a mental-health crisis, they can feel very vulnerable and unsafe. People need to be met with compassion and understanding for what they are going though,” said Josie Osborne, Minister of Health. “HealthIM is an innovative and collaborative approach that helps police officers work with health-care professionals quickly to make informed assessments that calm serious situations and improve outcomes for people in need.”

The responding officer is guided through a series of questions using HealthIM to help facilitate a better assessment of the person in crisis. The system also improves communication with health-care partners by using consistent clinical language and provides critical information to doctors and nurses immediately.

Other benefits may include:

* the assessment of risk of harm to self or others, which helps determine the best way that person can receive help;

* provides specific safety and de-escalation information about the person to facilitate a trauma-informed response, leading to better outcomes;

* alerts health-care partners to incoming people escorted by emergency responders;

* flags instances of weapon possession and/or violent behaviour.

A risk of harm analysis history can be developed over time, providing insight into how to assist those with previous police interactions.

The B.C. government provides $2 million annually to the BC Association of Chiefs of Police (BCACP) to support the rollout of HealthIM across municipal police departments and RCMP detachments throughout the province.

“The BC Association of Chiefs of Police is proud to lead this work on behalf of police leaders across British Columbia,” said Deputy Chief Andrew Chan, president, BCACP. “The progress in the Southeast District reflects the strength of our partnership with Interior Health and the commitment of local leaders in the Kootenays. Together, we are advancing practical solutions that support community safety and improve outcomes for individuals in crisis.”

HealthIM photo

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