Explore the Data

Police Mental Health Investigations

Police investigations involving mental health needs have increased by 21% in recent years

The Lincoln Police Department has officers trained to respond to calls involving mental health issues. When a person is located who may need mental health services, and they are not dangerous, they are provided information about available services. Their contact information is also provided to a peer support program that follows up on all contacts.

• The number of investigations involving mental health needs has steadily increased from 2012 to 2023.
• Since 2019, prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, police investigations involving mental health needs have increased by 20.8%.

Notes

Lincoln Police Department.

Data from 2021 on is reported using a new federal reporting standard and may undercount the total number of dispatch calls related to mental health when mental health calls are associated with a second offense.