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Hopkinton Police Chief Joseph Bennett and Lieutenant Aaron O’Neil introduced Lyan Albino, the department’s new jail diversion clinician, to the community and Select Board at the March 4 meeting.
Mental Health Counselor at HPD
“Years ago, there was a pivotal shift in how we perform and deal with, specifically, people in crisis,” said Bennett.
Albino is a state-licensed mental health counselor who has been working at the Hopkinton Police Department for approximately three months. She has been in similar roles for seven years, working for the Boston Police Department and Boston Medical Center.
She said her goal in the new role is to coordinate with resources in the town and greater community to collaborate and grow the department’s program.
Background of the Jail Diversion Program
Advocates launched the first Pre-Arrest Co-Response Jail Diversion Program (JDP) in Massachusetts in 2003 at the Framingham Police Department.
Hopkinton followed suit back in 2015 when its regional expansion started to include partners in Ashland, Sherborn, and Holliston.
This partnership made the successful jail diversion model, which had been adopted in large municipalities, available to smaller communities. From there, the program spread to many other communities in Massachusetts, taking root and gaining traction
JDP Clinicians and Funding
Bennett said that Albino’s addition to the department is part of a co-response model to service those scenarios. The model involves Master’s-Level clinicians who respond to calls with a person in crisis. Their goals include preventing an arrest or transportation to a hospital.
Bennett said the program is funded by the state and has no cost to the community. There is “no question” the program will continue to be funded by the state, declared Bennett.
Why it’s Needed
O’Neil said that prior to taking over this program, there were no resources for law enforcement to address people’s mental health while responding to a call.
“We would go to a situation where someone clearly needed help, but it was an arrest or a non-arrest situation,” he said. Albino’s support allows the department to provide mental health support at the scene.
“Having a clinician on board has been a great asset to support residents and educate the department,” said O’Neil. “We are fortunate to have Lyan with us.”
Select Board is On Board
The Select Board members expressed their excitement about the program and their confidence in its impact on the community.
“I’m thrilled with this position,” said Select Board Vice Chair Mary Jo LaFreniere. “It’s been much needed for a while, I believe.”
Bennett said the department will be hosting programs to educate the community about Albino’s role and program within the department.
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