SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO.com) — Starting this spring, Sioux Falls Police will have a mental health community resource officer.
They’ll work with addiction, mental health, and substance abuse.
Chief Matt Burns made the announcement today and named Officer Sarah Van Voorst to head the new position.
Below is the news release from the SFPD.
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Sioux Falls, South Dakota: A new Community Resource Officer position with a focus on mental health and addiction, will start in the spring of 2020. This newly created position will work in the community with different mental health and addiction providers focusing on those mental health and substance abuse/addiction issues. The Mental Health Community Resource Officer will work with people and their families that are experiencing addiction and/or a mental health crisis.
“Police officers frequently deal with people that have mental health issues or suffer from addiction,” said Police Chief Matt Burns. “A dedicated officer working with those individuals, their families, and different support organizations will become an invaluable asset to both the community and the police department.”
Officer Sarah VanVoorst was selected to fill that newly created position. Officer VanVoorst has served the citizens of Sioux Falls for nearly 5 years. She has a desire and the passion needed to successfully launch this new position. After an internal search, Officer VanVoorst was selected for this role from current staff. This new position was authorized by the City Council in the 2020 budget.
Community Resource Officers have been a part of the department for several years. The Mental Health Community Resource Officer will also assist other Community Resource Officers in various capacities.
