Fredericton police are getting ready to launch a pilot project that will use body cameras to link officers with mental health professionals. Deputy chief Martin Gaudet says it's a way to help the force deal with a growing number of mental health calls. "I would suggest a lot of calls that we attend have some sort of mental health illness intertwined into it," said Gaudet. Gaudet said officers on mental health calls will soon be able to livestream their body camera video to a mental health expert to get advice on the scene about how to best handle the situation. Horizon Health said its addiction and mental health services endorse the pilot, but clarified that mobile crisis team members would only be contacted during regular hours of operation.

Source: CBC News October 19, 2020 18:45 UTC