>>Metro Atlanta city launches new police department mental health response program

The City of Chamblee announced the launch of a new program aimed at helping de-escalate incidents when police respond to mental health crises.

The Chamblee Police Department has added what they’re calling a full-time co-responder.

This position is staffed by a trained mental health care professional who will go with officers when they respond to mental health calls.

Chamblee officials said the first one hired is Taisha Porter, a mental health professional with more than 20 years of experience.

Porter said she’s passionate about her work and provides direct support in the field for those having a mental health crisis, helping to de-escalate tense situations.

“It is such an honor to serve as the new Mental Health Co-Responder for the Chamblee Police Department,” Porter said. “I am extremely knowledgeable in this field and my experience includes providing individual, family, and group therapy for adolescents and adults who are struggling with addiction and various mental health disorders.”

According to city officials, Porter is a Troy University graduate with a master of education in psychology and a master of arts in professional counseling.

For the past eight years, she was a first responder for the Georgia Mobile Crisis team, working to provide crisis intervention services for those suffering from mental illness and substance abuse disorders.

In her role as Chamblee’s co-responder, Porter will perform case management after responding to incidents, as well as giving assistance with follow-up care providers and connecting people to resources and additional care, if needed.

During field operations and response, Porter will work with Chamblee Police Lt. Guy Antinozzi, who coordinates the Co-Responder Unit, Homelessness Response, and works as a training instructor and with North Metro SWAT Crisis Negotiation Team.

“The Chamblee PD Co-Responder Program is our next step in providing the highest quality police services to our community,” Antinozzi said. “Responding to the most vulnerable members of our service population requires training, expertise and options. Our dedicated officers and staff are committed to making the efforts required to resolve encounters in the best possible manner, as dictated by the circumstances. Persons are treated as individuals, and positive outcomes are what we seek.”