Police Department to receive more than $1 million

AIRWAY HEIGHTS — The police department, along with other departments in the state, has received a Mental Health Field Response grant contract for $1,314,151.35, according to the West Plains Safety Alliance.

Funded by the Washington Association of Sheriffs & Police Chiefs, several grants were distributed to the Airway Heights Police Department, Chelan County Sheriff's Office, Kirkland Police Department, Longview Police Department, Port Angeles Police Department, and the Spokane County Sheriff’s Office.

According to the Washington Association of Sheriffs & Police Chiefs, the purpose of this grant program is to assist local law enforcement agencies to establish and expand mental health field response capabilities, utilizing mental health professionals to professionally, humanely, and safely respond to crises involving persons with behavioral health issues with treatment, diversion, and reduced incarceration time as primary goals.

The grant has been issued for 2024 and 2025. The budget for 2024 is $735,199.48 (July 1, 2023 – June 30, 2024), while the budget for 2025 is $578,951.87 (July 1, 2024 – June 30, 2025).