Clark Police Dept. Attends Union County Prosecutor’s Office Roundtable on Law Enforcement Interactions

CLARK, NJ — The Union County Prosecutor’s Office, in collaboration with The Union County Board of County Commissioners and the Union County Department of Human Services, hosted a roundtable discussion at KEAN University highlighting law enforcement interaction with individuals with mental health needs and developmental, intellectual, and physical disabilities.

The event, titled "Growing Together in Union County: Alternative Responses for an Inclusive Community," brought together a diverse group of panelists and attendees, including representatives from Union County law enforcement, service providers, and community stakeholders.

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The Clark Police Department was one of dozens of partners and agencies participating in the event and the conversation.

Discussions centered around Law & Policy, Law Enforcement Training and Response, Diversion in the Criminal Justice System, and Community Support Services. Panelists discussed existing programs and initiatives designed to improve interactions between law enforcement and individuals with mental health needs and developmental, intellectual, and physical disabilities. They also emphasized the importance of collaboration between law enforcement, human services professionals, and community partners to ensure all Union County residents are treated with dignity, respect, and understanding.

The overall event's focus and audience represented a hybrid of law enforcement and human services/mental health professionals. The partners in attendance included:

• Union County Police Department
• YWCA Union County
• Winfield Police Department
• Rutgers University Behavioral Health Care
• Kenilworth Police Department
• St. Joseph’s Social Service Center
• Hillside Police Department
• Rahway Police Department
• The Gateway Family YMCA
• Roselle Park Police Department
• Union County Sheriff’s Office
• Elizabeth Housing Authority
• Scotch Plains Police Department
• Catholic Charities of the Archdioceses of Newark
• Westfield Police Department
• Bridges Outreach
• Clark Police Department
• Community Access Unlimited
• Family & Children Services
• Garwood Police Department
• Urban League of Union County
• Union Police Department
• Kean University Police Department

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• Summit Police Department
• New Providence Police Department
• Housing Authority of Plainfield
• Hillside Recreation Department
• Essex County Office of the Public Defender

Prosecutor William Daniel closed the event by inviting attendees to participate in a discussion on “Where do we go from here?” The conversation focused on future steps to continue building a more inclusive community and foster continued growth within Union County.

“This roundtable discussion served as a valuable platform to explore how we can better serve all members of our community,” said Union County Prosecutor William Daniel. “By fostering collaboration between law enforcement, human services providers, and community stakeholders, we can continue developing inclusive and effective responses to those facing mental health challenges and disabilities. By working together, we can continue to ensure that law enforcement has the resources and training necessary to de-escalate situations and connect individuals with the services they need.”

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