Waukesha PD Crisis Response Unit with Anna Diaz & Joe Lichucki

This City of Waukesha meeting, held on July 7, 2026, featured a discussion with members of the Waukesha Police Department's Crisis Response Unit (CRU). The conversation focused on the unit's role in responding to mental health crises within the community, emphasizing the importance of a mental health professional accompanying police officers to deescalate situations and connect individuals to appropriate services. The unit works closely with community partners such as NAMI and local hospitals to support individuals experiencing crises, including those who are homeless or struggling with substance use. The discussion highlighted the challenges of balancing civil rights with safety, the need for expanded coverage of crisis response services, and the importance of community education and trust-building. While no specific procurement or budget decisions were discussed, the conversation underscored the value of investing in mental health crisis intervention resources to reduce emergency calls and improve outcomes for vulnerable populations.