The Downey Police Department has two Southeast Region Mental Evaluation Teams (SERMET); each team is comprised of one Downey Police Mental Health Officer and one DMH Licensed Mental Health Clinician. This collaborative method of response has proven to be more effective and efficient in facilitating treatment for clients experiencing mental health and/or substance use crisis.  SERMET teams respond to 911 calls for people in mental health crisis, allowing for a timely and simultaneous response by law enforcement and mental health professionals.  Officers receive extensive training in the evaluation of persons with mental illness, completing risk assessments, and providing verbal de-escalation, to provide enhanced services to those in crisis.  The goal is to collaborate with the family, community, and treatment programs to create a safety plan for the least restrictive treatment option or get the person safely to the hospital.