Watertown Co-Response Team Highlights Innovative Approach to Mental Health Crises and Community Policing
- Steve Jurrens
- 4 days ago
- 3 min read
Northeast Radio SD News – Watertown, SD - In a recent broadcast on Northeast Radio SD, Watertown Police Department Mental Health Officer Alexis Buysse and Public Safety Social Worker Elly Anderson pulled back the curtain on a revolutionary approach to local emergency response: a dedicated mental health co-response team.
The initiative, which bridges the gap between law enforcement and clinical mental health support, is changing how the community handles individuals experiencing psychological distress.
The Evolution of the Co-Response Model
The Watertown Police Department first established the Mental Health Officer position in 2021, with Officer Buysse leading the charge. Recognizing the growing need for specialized on-scene care, the department expanded the program in January 2025 by introducing a Public Safety Social Worker, bringing Ellie Anderson onto the team through a partnership with the Human Service Agency (HSA).
Anderson, who holds a unique background in both criminal justice and clinical mental health counseling, described the role as the perfect culmination of her professional passions.
“Once upon a time, I wanted to be in law enforcement,” Anderson shared during the interview. “When this opportunity came up, it was kind of the perfect blend of the things that I am passionate about.”
Anderson works alongside the police department on a part-time basis—specifically on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday mornings, as well as Thursday afternoons—while dedicating the rest of her week to standard outpatient services and group facilitation at HSA.
Inside a Mental Health Crisis Call
When a crisis call comes in—ranging from severe psychiatric symptoms and medication lapses to suicide threats—Officer Buysse and Anderson deploy as a unified front. Once officers secure the scene for safety, Anderson steps in to lead de-escalation, safety planning, and emotional support.
A critical tool in their crisis toolkit is Serenity Cove, a specialized safe facility used as an alternative to incarceration or standard hospital emergency rooms.
· Compassionate Alternatives: When individuals are placed on a legal mental health hold, officers transport them to Serenity Cove rather than a jail cell.
· Holistic Care: The facility provides a secure environment where individuals can sleep, eat, and stabilize.
· Professional Evaluation: While at Serenity Cove, clients meet directly with qualified mental health professionals to determine the next steps in their care.
“It’s way better than going to the jail,” Officer Buysse noted, emphasizing that the program’s ultimate goal is to keep both the individual and the community safe while preserving human dignity.
Battling the Barrier of ‘Self-Stigma’
A significant portion of the team’s work involves breaking down the enduring stigma surrounding psychiatric care. Anderson and Buysse pointed out a rising trend in what they call “self-stigma.”
“People will be like, ‘Yeah, mental health is important,’ but then when it comes to talking about their own mental health, they’re like, ‘Oh no, not me,’” Buysse explained.
The team emphasized that a mental health crisis can happen to anyone. Triggers do not always stem from chronic illness or substance abuse; instead, compounding everyday stressors—such as financial strain or sudden traumatic events—can cause anyone to reach a breaking point. Because mental health naturally fluctuates, the team urges citizens not to minimize their struggles simply because they “felt fine last week.”
Seamless Continuity of Care
What sets Watertown’s program apart is its commitment to long-term resolution. After an initial crisis call, Anderson utilizes her position at HSA to conduct follow-up care, acting as a warm hand-off to case management, counseling, and substance use treatment.
For those seeking help or experiencing a crisis, the team highlights several immediately accessible pathways:
· The Human Service Agency (HSA): For counseling, therapy, and psychiatric resources.
· 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: A free, confidential 24/7 lifeline.
· Local Dispatch: Watertown dispatch centers maintain a direct working partnership with 988, ensuring that calls can be seamlessly transferred between emergency services and mental health professionals depending on the caller’s immediate needs.
Officer Buysse, whose pioneering work has garnered accolades and recognition across the state of South Dakota, hopes that Watertown’s model will serve as a blueprint for other communities looking to implement compassionate, efficient co-response infrastructure.
