State Policy · KS
Kansas Police Chief Credits CCBHCs for Reducing Crisis-Related Law Enforcement Calls by 45%
A Kansas police chief reports that Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics reduced crisis-related police calls in McPherson from 76 in 2022 to 42 in 2025, an over 40% decline. Protective custody placements dropped by more than 80%, and average hospital supervision time decreased by more than three and a half hours per incident. The CCBHC model deploys trained behavioral health professionals to respond to mental health and substance use crises, either at the scene or by accepting direct transport from officers, connecting individuals to care instead of detention.
Why it mattersThis operational evidence from Kansas demonstrates how CCBHCs can reduce Medicaid-funded emergency department utilization and law enforcement costs while improving crisis response outcomes for beneficiaries with behavioral health needs.