State Police on Wednesday announced a new policy aimed at delivering “compassionate services” to people suffering from mental health crises and substance issues when responding to calls.

The policy allows troopers to fulfill their public safety mission while also de-escalating encounters, helping individuals in crisis regain control, and making referrals for “appropriate care” when safe to do so, the agency said.

The policy states in part that troopers “shall take all reasonable steps to use de-escalation tactics that do not jeopardize the safety of the member or the public to provide an opportunity to refer the subject to appropriate services.”

The directive “does not restrict a member’s discretion to make an arrest when probable cause exists, nor are members expected to attempt de

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