Community Assistance Expansion and Implementation Report - February 2026 (1).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 December 2025, CAP responded to a total of 1,502 calls for service. Of these, 701 calls were transferred
from Phoenix Police Communications to CAP Behavioral Health Dispatchers. During December, fifteen CAP
units were actively in service. Comparing 2025 to 2024, the Behavioral Health Units saw a 96% increase in
calls for service and the Crisis Response units remained consistent.
Learn more at Phoenix.gov/CAP
ATTACHMENT A
RECRUITMENT & STAFFING:
SUMMARY:
In December 2025, 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 hours per day for five days each week and 22 hours per day on the
remaining two days.
As of January 5, 2026, CRU availability expanded to full 24/7 citywide coverage through shift realignment.
Recruitment efforts to increase staffing and enhance service capacity remain ongoing. Following a successful
request to convert vacant part-time specialist and supervisor positions into full-time Crisis Intervention
Specialist roles, CAP increased its number of positions available for hire, resulting in a 21% vacancy rate. The
26-01 onboarding class for Crisis Intervention Specialists began on January 5, 2026.

2025
4,949
2024
2,167
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 two CAP supervisors in Police Communications for 41 hours each week to help
identify appropriate calls for transfer.  
In December 2025, 65% of all Behavioral Health unit calls originated from transfers by Police Communications.
The remaining 35% 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

2025
 9,279
2024
4,744
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 Behavioral Health Units (BHUs) are specifically designed to respond independently to calls, serving as
an alternative to traditional police or fire response. In December 2025, BHUs responded to 1,075
calls for service, making direct contact with individuals on 590 calls (55%). The remaining calls were
either canceled prior to arrival or the units were unable to locate the individual upon arriving on scene.
BEHAVIORAL HEALTH CALLS FOR SERVICE:
Transports: 145
Adults Served: 591
Children Served: 64
Average Response Time: 20 minutes
*number of individuals assisted may
differ from the calls for service volume
Primary Call Types (Total: 590)
Check Wellbeing: 304 (52%)
Mental Health: 144 (24%)
Social Service Related: 64 (11%)
Single Unit BH Response
850 responses; 79% 
Responding with Police
131 responses; 12%
Responding with Fire
71 responses; 7%
Responding with Police & Fire
23 responses; 2%
Learn more at Phoenix.gov/CAP

2025 
5,438
2024 
 5,371
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
December 2025, CRUs responded to 427 calls for service, successfully making contact with individuals on
238 calls (56%). The remaining calls were either canceled prior to arrival or upon arrival on scene.
Transports: 37
Adults Served: 591 
Children Served: 149
Average Response Time: 21 minutes
*
Primary Call Types (Total: 238)
Death: 111 (47%)
Medical Issue: 40 (17%)
Crime: 36 (15%)
Single Unit CR Response
41 responses; 9% 
Responding with Police
59 responses; 14%
Responding with Fire
131 responses; 31%
Responding with Police & Fire
196 responses; 46%
*number of individuals assisted may
differ from the calls for service volume
Learn more at Phoenix.gov/CAP

1/9/2026