2-12/050.05 - Mental Evaluation Team

The Mental Evaluation Teams (MET) provide services throughout the county.  MET is responsible for:

The Mental Evaluation Team assists patrol deputies with contacts involving the mentally ill, suicide attempts, or gravely disabled persons.  The MET will assist the patrol deputy with the individual by arranging placement or transporting the individual to the identified appropriate facility if the person qualifies under 5150 WIC.  The MET deputy will prepare the “Application for Evaluation” (MH-302).  The station’s handling deputy will prepare a brief Incident Report (SH-R-49), alleged mentally ill person, and book any confiscated weapons.

The MET also:

• Responds to barricaded suspects/mentally ill individuals;
• Assist with a threat of suicide in progress, i.e., jumpers, self-inflicted injuries;
• Provides supplemental crisis intervention techniques to defuse potentially volatile situations;
• Prepares appropriate documentation to assist custodial agencies in the placement of the mentally ill;
• Acts as liaison to community and judicial agencies; and
• Gives court testimony regarding the mental health or emotional stability of persons.

MET consists of a deputy sheriff and a Department of Mental Health clinician, who respond in unmarked Sheriff’s vehicles.