Augusta University is one of five universities partnering with the International Association of Chiefs of Police on its One Mind Campaign, an initiative designed to foster successful interactions between police officers and persons affected by mental illness.

As part of the 36-month program, Augusta University Public Safety will develop relationships with community mental health organizations, implement policies addressing public safety’s response to persons affected by mental illness and provide Mental Health First Aid and Crisis Intervention Team Training to the university’s police and non-sworn staff.

Augusta University Police Major Eugene Maxwell says the university joined the campaign as a way to acknowledge the need to recognize and address recent societal, cultural, and technological changes that impact law enforcement responses to persons with mental illness.

“Pledging our support to the One Mind Campaign demonstrates our commitment to the department’s vision for being a nationally recognized leader in providing innovative and community-based higher education law enforcement services,” said Maxwell. “This program allows us to further exemplify our core values of adhering to the highest standards of service to our community through integrity, professionalism, respect and excellence.”