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BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KERO) — They may not bear a blue badge but they’re important in keeping our city safe. Behavioral health clinicians on dispatch teams are pretty unique to Bakersfield and are already proving to make a difference.
City Councilmember Eric Arias said that those who dispatch and answer the calls to a scene don’t get paid as much as some of their county colleagues. There’s already significant dispatcher turnover, so they hope changes will keep them around.
“Our police officers are dealing with incredibly intense, difficult situations. Every day, and we know that there’s a tremendous amount of mental health in the community,” said Stacy Quwahara, Behavioral Health Director, Kern Behavioral Health and Recovery Services…
