DANVILLE — Danville Police are preparing to deploy their embedded crisis worker next month.
“We’re really hoping the second week of October we can hit the ground running with that,” Danville Police Chief Chris Yates said, explaining that the department is working through “procedural issues and different protocols on how they’ll be utilized.
“We’re really focusing on making sure that she understands all the different resources we currently have within the community, and how she can be that central hub.’’
The position, he added, is a “very unique opportunity.”
This news came during Tuesday’s Public Services meeting. Yates also noted the budget amendment approved covers the body-worn cameras. The committee also authorized the disposal of unused squad cars, and heard from Yates about expanded officer training.
“This budget amendment is to pay it all off early, so we can close up the grant,” said the chief, noting the grant had been awarded “quite a while ago” and fell during a period of administrative transition.
Yates says by the end of the current training block he expects all of his officers to be current on emergency medical, including CPR, and ‘stop the bleed’ training.
“You’d be surprised how many times that comes in,” the chief said of emergency medical skills, adding that officers often “play a viable” role in life‑saving situations before paramedics arrive.
The chief also noted that all command staff from lieutenant through chief have now completed advanced leadership programs at either Northwestern University’s School of Staff and Command or the National Academy — a first for the department in his tenure.
“I think that was quite an accomplishment,” he said, stating the shared training improves professional standards and helps supervisors understand why policies and directives are being issued from the top down.
Yates also briefly discussed the success of last year’s Halloween event, which he said drew over 2,000 children and families. He said attendance has doubled each year they have hosted it, so they may need a bigger park in the future to host the event.