MPD resumes using third-party service to help with mental health transportation
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MADISON, Wis. – The Madison Police Department will continue to use a third-party service for emergency detention transports to Winnebago Mental Health Facility.
The department tested out this option during a pilot program last summer. After a program review, Common Council approval and a competitive selection process, services resumed on Friday.
“An emergency detention transport is time-consuming. It took two officers out of our community for several hours,” said MPD Captain Shannon Blackamore.
“We saw a lot of benefits of using a transport service. We are happy things were finalized before our busy summer months.”
The department will continue to work with REDI Transports, a transportation company out of Green Bay.
“This program helps more than our department. If a person is experiencing a mental health crisis, a two-hour-plus drive in police custody could fuel their crisis,” said MPD Chief Shon Barnes.
Madison officers will remain at a local hospital until a patient is medically cleared for transport. Protective custody will then be transferred to REDI during the trip and picked up by Winnebago upon patient arrival.
The department was able to secure $100,000 in the City budget to implement this program.
“Mental health challenges impact those of all ages, from all walks of life. Programs like this allow us to better serve people in their time of crisis,” said Madison Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway.
The department’s contract with REDI Transports lasts until the city's funding runs out.
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