Louisville Police Launch Mental Health Pilot Program
The pilot links patrol officers with remote psychologists to assist during behavioral health crisis responses.
Updated on Oct. 27, 2026 in Mental Health
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The Louisville Metro Police Department has launched a pilot program that uses live body-worn camera feeds to provide officers with remote support from psychologists. This initiative aims to assist the department in managing behavioral health calls more effectively.
Why it matters
The program was established following two fatal police shootings of individuals experiencing mental health crises to provide officers with additional specialized support. It serves as an advisory tool for responding to sensitive situations in the community.
The pilot operates 12 hours a day across four patrol divisions with 25 officers on the Advanced Crisis Team. In 2025, the department handled 3,235 total crisis intervention calls.
The players
Louisville Metro Police Department
This local law enforcement agency is responsible for serving the city of Louisville and surrounding Jefferson County.
Paul Humphrey
He serves as the Chief of the Louisville Metro Police Department and issued the memorandum regarding the formation of the crisis team.
Shelton Forensic Solutions
This organization provides professional psychological services to assist law enforcement agencies during critical situations.
The details
Officers in the third, fourth, fifth, and eighth divisions can now share real-time audio and video from their body-worn cameras with psychologists from Shelton Forensic Solutions. The team decides when to request remote expert access to help de-escalate behavioral health encounters.
Timeline
The Louisville Metro Police Department responded to approximately 3,235 crisis intervention calls in 2025.
Katelyn Hall was fatally shot by police in March 2026.
Martin Nitzken Jr. was fatally shot by police in May 2026.
Chief Paul Humphrey issued a memorandum regarding the team on August 28, 2026.
The pilot program officially launched in October 2026.
Health Landscape
This program marks a direct departure from the policing protocols in place during the 2026 fatal police shooting of Martin Nitzken Jr. It signifies a broader evolution in how law enforcement agencies integrate clinical mental health expertise into standard patrol operations.
Residents in the third, fourth, fifth, and eighth divisions may experience a change in police response procedures during behavioral health crises. The presence of remote psychologists is designed to prioritize de-escalation and connect individuals with professional guidance.
The takeaway
The program represents a shift toward incorporating real-time mental health expertise in law enforcement operations. Success will be determined by ongoing evaluations of how these expert consultations influence outcomes in the field.
Further reading
For more information on similar initiatives, see Mental Health.
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