Cst. Josh Waltman has hit Nanaimo's streets as a new mental health liaison officer. (submitted/Nanaimo RCMP)

By NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

mental health officer

New mental health officer hitting Nanaimo streets

Nov 19, 2020 | 12:08 PM

NANAIMO — A plain-clothed officer is working to alleviate the pressure of daily mental health calls.

Cst. Joshua Waltman is now patrolling as the Nanaimo RCMP’s newest mental health liaison officer. He’ll attend mental health calls and “facilitate a collaborative, consistent and coordinated approach” to the challenging calls.

“It’s going to be unique,” Waltman told NanaimoNewsNOW. “Because I won’t be as tied to the radio as a frontline police officer, there will be times where they need to go and then they’ll request me for assistance. I’ll have the knowledge base of resources of who can wrap the client with services to best help them.”

Waltman won’t be seen in the traditional police uniform. He suggested to his superiors he wear plain clothes and drive an unmarked car.

“Clients with mental health needs already have high anxiety when they’re dealing with someone in a uniform. I want them to know that when they see my uniform they’re going to be treated differently than they would with a frontline police officer.”

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Much of his first week in the role was spent meeting external stakeholders.

“There are some passionate people out there working with clients who have mental health needs. I haven’t even scraped the surface. This is going to be a couple months of building relationships to truly put together some standard operating procedures on how we’re going to be able to work together.”

Waltman spent several years in Surrey assigned to an outreach team, engaging with the homeless and working to get them medical help instead of a night in jail.

He said “stay tuned” to anyone questioning if one officer could get a handle on the numerous mental health issues found throughout the Nanaimo community.

“This is the start of a program and perhaps there’s more coming shortly.”

Waltman thanked the many players working behind the scenes who prioritized having such a position in the Nanaimo RCMP detachment.

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