What to Expect

If you are in the City of Cedar Park, when you call 911 for a person in mental health crisis, you can expect our officers to respond, possibly along with Emergency Medical Services, and the Cedar Park Fire Department. When first responders arrive, the individual may evaluated first for medical conditions, then mental health conditions. Medical conditions take priority over mental health conditions.

The responding officer may then call one of our Mental Health Unit (MHU) Officers depending on circumstances. A Bluebonnet Trails Community Services Crisis Worker often responds with the MHU Officer.

All Cedar Park Police Officers are trained to de-escalate situations and evaluate the mental health consumer to see if the consumer meets criteria for a Peace Officer's Emergency Detention (POED). If the individual meets criteria for a POED, the MHU Officer will place them in the most appropriate psychiatric facility available, in the least restrictive means necessary. If the consumer does not meet criteria for a POED, the  Officer and the Bluebonnet Trails Crisis Worker will provide the consumer and family/caretakers with available, local mental health resources.

The MHU receives referrals from patrol officers as well as other areas of the department, other agencies and outside parties. The MHU also reviews reports taken related to mental health for potential follow up, as well as other resources which might benefit the consumer or other involved parties.

We strive to engage our mental health consumers, and the general public, with dignity and respect. All interactions with our MHU are confidential in nature to include reports and resolutions.