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Tech & Science dictionary results for co-responder.

co-responder

American  

[koh-ri-spon-der] / ˌkoʊ rɪˈspɒn dər /

noun

1. a mental or behavioral health professional who aids law enforcement in responding to calls involving people with mental health or addiction issues, or any member of such a crisis response team (often used attributively): With the co-responder program, we are seeing more situations resolved on scene and fewer arrests of vulnerable individuals.

   The county mental health center trains employees who will serve the community as co-responders.

   With the co-responder program, we are seeing more situations resolved on scene and fewer arrests of vulnerable individuals.

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Etymology

Origin of co-responder

First recorded in 2010–15; co- ( def. ) + responder ( def. )

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

co-responder

Researchers behind the Stanford study found the co-responder model decreased involuntary psychiatric holds by approximately 17% and reduced the likelihood of future mental health 911 calls among the four pilot cities.

From Los Angeles Times ● Dec. 25, 2025

Mariela Ruiz-Angel, director of Alternative Response Initiatives at Georgetown Law’s Center for Innovations in Community Safety, said a co-responder model is fantastic — but it’s just the beginning of what a progressive city looks like.

From Los Angeles Times ● Dec. 25, 2025

Equally important to improving public safety is the newly launched third public safety department, the co-responder program, CARE; expand the civilian Community Service Officer program, too.

From Seattle Times ● Oct. 20, 2023

The department has embraced “a co-responder philosophy” in which a mental health clinician, when available, accompanies police officers on calls such as the one involving Lynch.

From Washington Post ● Aug. 4, 2022

Meanwhile, Prince William County in Virginia has been testing a program since December in which co-responder units of police and behavioral health experts respond to certain mental health crisis calls.

From Washington Times ● May 21, 2021