Local police listen to "voices in head" to train in mental health call response

A town like Norwood used to receive two or three mental health calls in a month. Now, they can average two a day.  This jump in mental health issues is forcing local departments to train in new ways to respond.

"Officers have become social workers," Deputy Chief Peter Kelly of Norwood told Boston 25 News.

Boston 25 News Reporter Robert Goulston was allowed into a crisis intervention training class in Norfolk County, where the officers are coping with voices in their head.

"They're telling me to walk around, that I'm not good enough. It's continuously telling me things while I'm trying to interact with other people,” said Officer Bryan Cedrone as he took part in the 40-hour class-- where the voices play through his headphones. Non-Stop.

Officers try to function with those voices playing, even attempting to apply for a job.

Officials say the training helps officers develop empathy for people dealing with conditions like schizophrenia, and to understand what's it's like to be on the other end of an interaction with a police officer.

“The officer who doesn't have the training might interpret as the person is on drugs or under the influence of alcohol," said Dep. Chief Kelly.

The goal is to help officers better identify mental health issues and connect more people with help.

"Approach the situation a little bit differently. They'll slow down when asking questions,” said Brookline Police Lieutenant Jennifer Paster.

“I wouldn't say I could fully relate to them, but I can see where it comes from and the difficulties they are tasked with," said Officer Cedrone.

Norfolk County Crisis Intervention Team- Training and Technical Assistance Center is funded through grants from the MA Department of Mental Health.  The group tells Boston 25 News there was increased funding secured by Governor Baker for these programs in the new budget that went into effect in July.

Brookline, Braintree, Dedham, Foxborough, Milton, Needham, North Attleboro, Sharon, Stoughton, Walpole, Wellesley and Norwood Police departments all sent officers to the most recent class.

The push is for each police department to have at least 20 percent of their officers go through this training.

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