Cst. Josh Waltman, Nanaimo's first full time RCMP Mental Health Liaison Officer has dealt with over 500 files in his first year on the job, primarily crisis driven. (Alex Rawnsley/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By Alex Rawnsley

CRISIS DRIVEN

‘There’s no limit to what I go to:’ Nanaimo’s mental health liaison officer pushing for more resources

Nov 25, 2021 | 5:27 AM

NANAIMO — In just over a year on local streets, Cst. Josh Waltman has dealt with over 500 different mental health-related police files.

His position as the detachment’s first ever full-time Mental Health Liaison Officer is demanding, involving police and healthcare resources from around the community teaming up to find appropriate resolutions to to delicate situations.

Waltman told NanaimoNewsNOW general duty officers will refer cases to him and a clinician if officers aren’t able to deal with an assignment under the Mental Health Act.

“We’ll look at the file from both sides, the police side and the medical side and provide a more coordinated response to that file and see what is the best course of action for this person.”

The first-of-its-kind program for Nanaimo has paid off, Waltman said. In his year on the job, Waltman has been able to build connections with local service providers and stakeholders, along with developing rapport’s with those facing challenges.

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A huge part of the rapport building was how Waltman presented himself and by extension, the RCMP.

He spoke to NanaimoNewsNOW outfitted hoodie and jeans, in addition to his RCMP-mandated vest, handgun, radio and other equipment.

“I first started with the uniform and we found when we were going to homes we were spending more time articulating why a police officer was there and building rapport than actually focusing on our mental health assessment.”

Cst. John Waltman (right) and Lianne Rear, one of several registered nurses Waltman works with, deal with a variety of mental health and crisis-driven calls in Nanaimo. (submitted photo/Nanaimo RCMP)

A lot of the calls Waltman faces aren’t what was expected heading in.

“When I first started everybody assumed it was going to be supporting unsheltered people and vulnerable people and it hasn’t been that way at all. A lot of the clients I see are housed.”

It only took a few months in the position for the detachment to identify further resources were needed, namely a dedicated squad car for Waltman and healthcare professionals to work side by side.

“Car 5-4”, named after Waltman’s unmarked cruiser and not the 1961 sitcom would allow faster response to high-risk, crisis calls.

Island Health has signed off on a memorandum of understanding between the health authority and RCMP. The agreement is awaiting final approval from RCMP headquarters.

“There’s no limit to what I go to. If myself and the clinician who’s working with me identify a mental health need, it doesn’t matter what walk of life you’re from, we provide a coordinated response to that situation and respond accordingly.”

According to Waltman, there is no specific training or education for officers who wish to work as mental health liaison officers, outside of a want to help people in these types of crisis.

He wants to expand the division, adding two more liaison officers in 2022 which would enable RCMP to do more follow ups on people, instead of just reacting to crisis calls.

Over the last year, the relationships built through the program are in turn making it more effective.

Waltman will routinely meet with people with lived experience in mental health crises to refine his approach.

“I can run situations by them, without providing client information, but just saying ‘this is what I have, if I had to respond to you, what would be the best or most delicate way to respond’…I can bounce ideas off people.”

Waltman is just one of a handful of mental health liaison officers on Vancouver Island. His proposed Car 5-4 program would be the only such one on the Island.

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alex@nanaimonewsnow.com

On Twitter: @alexrawnsley