Cleveland Appointed Bureau Lead in June 2026

Maureen Malavé began leading the Community Crisis Response Bureau to manage mental health emergency calls.

Updated on Oct. 14, 2026 in Law Enforcement

Cleveland Appointed Bureau Lead in June 2026

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In June 2026, Cleveland appointed Maureen Malavé to lead the newly created Community Crisis Response Bureau. The office was established following the mandates of Tanisha's Law to shift mental health emergency responses from police to paramedics and social workers.

Why it matters

The bureau aims to reduce police involvement in mental health crises by utilizing specialized teams, reflecting a policy shift toward public health-led emergency intervention. This transition follows the 2014 death of Tanisha Anderson in police custody.

The Cleveland Division of Police currently fields six co-response teams, while over 200 officers have completed 40-hour Specialized Crisis Intervention Team training. It remains unknown how the bureau will integrate with current police response volumes.

The players

Maureen Malavé

She serves as the lead of the Community Crisis Response Bureau in Cleveland.

Tanisha Anderson

She was a Cleveland resident who died in police custody in 2014, eventually leading to legislative reforms.

Cleveland Division of Police

The local agency responsible for law enforcement that currently fields mental health co-response teams.

The details

Operating under the Division of Emergency Medical Services, the bureau analyzes 911 call data to identify optimal locations for a new care response pilot program. The city also plans to bill Medicaid for services provided by these non-police units.

2014: Tanisha Anderson died in police custody.
June 2026: Maureen Malavé was appointed to lead the new bureau.
Fall 2026: The care response pilot program is scheduled to launch.
End of 2026: A social worker is expected to be assigned to the 911 call center.
Summer 2027: Planned deployment of paramedics and social workers for crisis calls.

Legal Context

The creation of the bureau marks a departure from traditional police-led emergency responses, following the mandates established by Tanisha's Law. This transition mirrors efforts in other jurisdictions to prioritize civilian-led interventions for mental health crises.

Residents may see a change in how emergency services respond to mental health calls, with paramedics and social workers appearing instead of police officers. These shifts are intended to improve safety outcomes for individuals experiencing crises.

The takeaway

Cleveland is shifting its emergency service model to emphasize medical and social work expertise during mental health incidents. This change aims to provide more specialized care while attempting to secure Medicaid reimbursement for those public health services.

What happens next

The bureau plans to launch a care response pilot program in the fall of 2026 and intends to place a social worker in the 911 call center by the end of the year.