This month’s Police Chief addresses some of the nontraditional roles our officers find themselves filling in their communities.

With each passing year, our profession is thrust more deeply into the realm of attempting to help those experiencing homelessness, those struggling with untreated mental health needs, and those grappling with severe drug and alcohol addictions. Police officers have hearts for public service—that is undeniable. But, for many of these more social service–related issues, we find ourselves not unwilling, but rather untrained, unequipped, and unprepared to deal with of the effects of untreated mental health and addiction issues.