Equity and access of a civilian-based crisis response model.

Criticisms of police use of force policies and the over policing of communities of color have generated calls to reallocate part of the funding that routinely goes to police departments to fund more social welfare programs. In particular, analysts and policy makers have supported the implementation of alternative crisis response programs, such as the use of unarmed behavioral health workers, to reduce police contact and improve mental health service provision to citizens. The present study examined the extent to which one such civilian-based 911 diversion program in St. Petersburg, Florida, called the Community Assistance and Life Liaison program, provides equitable access to communities in need. Through analysis of contact data (