Springfield, Vt. — Health Care and Rehabilitation Services (HCRS), southeastern Vermont’s community mental-health agency, is placing a law enforcement liaison within the Vermont State Police Westminster Barracks, as a mobile crisis responder tasked with helping police respond to individuals with mental illness.

“By increasing the capacity to see people in the community through co-response with law enforcement, HCRS will be meeting people where they are at, ensuring that they receive the supports they need when they need them,” Kate Lamphere, HCRS’ adult services division director, said in a news release.

Christine Bullard will be the police liaison at the Westminster Barracks in Putney. She has previously worked in that role for the Springfield Police Department and the Bellows Falls Police Department.

Lt. Anthony French, station commander for the Westminster Barracks, said that Bullard’s involvement will allow the state police to better meet the challenges of caring for individuals with mental illness in a rural area with limited resources.

“The Westminster Barracks serves 26 towns including over 1200 square miles in southeastern Vermont. Serving a large rural area creates challenges in best addressing mental health emergencies,” he said. “These are areas where people don’t have access to services as easily. Immediately responding with a police liaison will improve the ability to more effectively and safely interact with persons having a mental health crisis.”

HCRS has worked with area police departments to support response to people with mental illness since 2003. The agency currently has police liaisons working with the Hartford, Windsor, Springfield, Bellows Falls, and Brattleboro Police Departments.