Community Assistance Expansion and Implementation Report - March 2026.pdf

The Community Assistance Program (CAP) consists of Behavioral Health and Crisis Response Units. Calls for
service are recorded through the electronic patient care record system, with each call representing an incident
where a CAP team was dispatched.
In January 2026, CAP responded to a total of 1,326 calls for service. Of these, 631 calls were transferred from
Phoenix Police Communications to CAP Behavioral Health Dispatchers. During January, fifteen CAP units were
actively in service. 
Learn more at Phoenix.gov/CAP
ATTACHMENT A
RECRUITMENT & STAFFING:
SUMMARY:
In January 2026, CAP operated nine Behavioral Health Units (BHUs) providing 24/7 citywide coverage,
supported by round-the-clock Behavioral Health Dispatch services. Additionally, six Crisis Response Units
(CRUs) offered citywide coverage 24/7 citywide coverage.  
Recruitment efforts to increase staffing and enhance service capacity remain ongoing. The 26-01 onboarding
class for Crisis Intervention Specialists began on January 5, 2026 and will begin in their new roles in February.

2026
1 Month: 631
2025
1 Month: 234
Annual Trend
128% increase
CALLS TRANSFERRED FROM POLICE COMMUNICATIONS:
In 2025, the number of calls transferred from Police Communications to CAP Behavioral Health
Dispatchers increased by 128% compared to 2024. This growth reflects ongoing collaboration efforts,
including the placement of one CAP supervisors in Police Communications for 40 hours weekly to help identify
appropriate calls for transfer.  
In January 2026, 68% of all Behavioral Health unit calls originated from transfers by Police Communications.
The remaining 32% were initiated by fire and police personnel or generated directly by Behavioral Health
units.
On December 15, 2025, 911 operators began a new triage question specifically asking “Do you need police,
fire or behavioral health?” Police Communications will continue to triage calls to ensure the right services
are sent at the right time. 
Learn more at Phoenix.gov/CAP

2026
 1 Month: 922
2025
1 Month: 517
Annual Trend
96% increase
The data on individuals assisted and services provided below is sourced from the electronic care records
system. CAP services may be delivered to multiple individuals during a single call, or in some cases,
services may be declined. As a result, the number of individuals assisted may not directly align with the
total volume of calls for service.
The BHUs are specifically designed to respond independently to calls, serving as an alternative to traditional
police or fire response. In January 2026, BHUs responded to 922 calls for service, making direct
contact with individuals on 522 calls (56%). The remaining calls were either canceled prior to arrival or the
units were unable to locate the individual upon arriving on scene. Of 714 calls that were dispatched as
a single unit BH response, 689 (96%) remained as a single unit response with only 4%
requiring Police, Fire or a combination to assist on the scene. 
BEHAVIORAL HEALTH CALLS FOR SERVICE:
Transports: 128
Adults Served: 586
Children Served: 68
Average Response Time: 21 minutes
*number of individuals assisted may differ
from the calls for service volume
Primary Call Types (Total: 522)
Check Wellbeing: 339 (65%)
Mental Health: 108 (21%)
Social Service Related: 41 (8%)
Single Unit BH Response
714 responses; 77% 
Responding with Police
119 responses; 13%
Responding with Fire
69 responses; 8%
Responding with Police & Fire
20 responses; 2%
Learn more at Phoenix.gov/CAP

2026 
(1 Month):  404
2025
 (1 Month): 481
Annual Trend:
Consistent
CRISIS RESPONSE CALLS FOR SERVICE:
The data on individuals assisted and services provided below is sourced from the electronic care records system.
CAP services may be delivered to multiple individuals during a single call, or in some cases, services may be
declined. As a result, the number of individuals assisted may not directly align with the total volume of calls for
service.
The Crisis Response Units (CRUs) operate as co-response teams, working alongside Police and/or Fire personnel. In
January 2026, CRUs responded to 404 calls for service, successfully making contact with individuals on 249
calls (62%). The remaining calls were either canceled prior to arrival or upon arrival on scene.
Transports: 40
Adults Served: 557 
Children Served: 182
Average Response Time: 21 minutes
*
Primary Call Types (Total: 249)
Death: 121 (49%)
Occupant Services: 38 (15%)
Crime: 32 (13%)
Single Unit CR Response
41 responses; 10% 
Responding with Police
79 responses; 20%
Responding with Fire
89 responses; 22%
Responding with Police & Fire
195 responses; 48%
*number of individuals assisted may
differ from the calls for service volume
Learn more at Phoenix.gov/CAP

2/2/2026