St. Thomas, ON – Tuesday February 10th 2026
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
The St. Thomas Police Service (STPS), in partnership with the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) and St. Thomas Elgin General Hospital (STEGH), has received Provincial funding through the Mobile Crisis Response Team (MCRT) Enhancement Grant to support the integration of a Registered Practical Nurse (RPN) into the Mobile Outreach Support Team (MOST).
The support of the Ontario Government for this two-year enhancement grant will strengthen our established co-response model that supports individuals experiencing mental health crises, homelessness, substance use challenges, and other complex needs. The addition of a nurse expands the team’s clinical capacity, allowing health-care expertise to be delivered directly in the community while supporting appropriate and timely care.
The MOST program has operated within the St. Thomas Police Service for several years in partnership with CMHA. Originally launched with a police officer embedded in the model, the program later evolved to a co-response approach led by CMHA clinicians. This enhancement represents the third evolution of the program, further strengthening collaborative responses by embedding a nurse from STEGH alongside CMHA clinicians.
The nurse will provide additional clinical support, including de-escalation, health assessments, and access to basic primary care for individuals who may otherwise rely on emergency department services for non-life-threatening conditions. This approach is expected to improve outcomes for individuals in crisis while supporting reductions in emergency department visits.
In 2025, the St. Thomas Police Service responded to 2211 mental health-related calls. Frontline officers spent approximately 409 hours at STEGH, resulting in nearly $50,000 in salary costs and reducing officer availability for core public safety duties. During the same period, the MOST team supported 457 individuals through live calls and follow-ups, reaching the maximum workload capacity of the two CMHA clinicians currently assigned to the program.
The MCRT Enhancement Grant provides funding for the nurse position, office space and related equipment.
Chief Marc Roskamp, St. Thomas Police Service, stated:
“This enhanced partnership reflects our shared commitment to ensuring people in our community are connected to the care they need and deserve. By embedding a registered nurse within our co-response team, we are strengthening our ability to respond appropriately to individuals experiencing mental health crises, homelessness, addictions, and other complex challenges.
This approach allows police officers to focus on their core public safety responsibilities while ensuring vulnerable individuals are supported by the right professionals at the right time. Importantly, this collaboration also supports STEGH by helping to reduce unnecessary emergency department visits and easing pressures on frontline healthcare services. Together, we are delivering safer, more compassionate, and more effective responses for our community. We thank the Ontario Government for recognizing our local needs for this funding.”
Karen Davies, President & CEO of St. Thomas Elgin General Hospital, added:
“This partnership represents another important step forward in how we collaborate to support people in our community during moments of crisis. It also speaks to our shared dedication to delivering compassionate, timely, and equitable care. By embedding a nurse within the Mobile Crisis Response Team, we are extending health-care expertise beyond hospital walls and meeting people where they are.
This model prioritizes early intervention, compassionate care, and stronger connections to mental health and addiction supports. This model not only enhances the quality and appropriateness of care for vulnerable individuals, but also allows our police partners to concentrate on public safety, knowing that health-related concerns are being addressed by trained professionals. We’re proud to work alongside the St. Thomas Police Service and the Canadian Mental Health Association to improve outcomes and experiences for individuals and families when they need help most.”
The St. Thomas Police Service remains committed to evidence-based approaches and collaborative partnerships that support community safety, reduce system pressures, and ensure individuals in crisis are met with appropriate care.
