Rutgers University Police Department’s New Brunswick Division has joined the ARRIVE Together program in Middlesex County, a statewide initiative aimed at improving law enforcement responses to mental health and behavioral crises.

The program, launched by the New Jersey Attorney General’s Office, pairs specially trained Rutgers police officers with licensed mental health professionals from Rutgers University Behavioral Health Care.

According to Rutgers police, the teams respond to calls involving individuals experiencing emotional distress, with a focus on de-escalation, safety and connecting people with support services and treatment options.

Officials said officers participating in the program are trained in Crisis Intervention Team principles and may also conduct follow-up visits intended to promote continuity of care and reduce the likelihood of future crises.

The university said the program supports the department’s mission of community-focused policing and strengthening partnerships with students, employees and visitors while prioritizing public safety and “human dignity.”

Rutgers police said the department will continue evaluating the program’s impact and explore opportunities for expansion as it develops.

The Kane in Your Corner team took a closer look at ARRIVE Together as part of its 'Deadly Force' investigation and found that the program does not usually mean police and mental health experts arrive at a given scene simultaneously.