News Flash

County News & Press Releases

Posted on: May 3, 2022

Bucks Co-Responders Program Expands to Three More Police Departments

A woman and a man

Two more social workers began working last month alongside police in Lower Bucks, growing the county’s efforts to divert people in need of social services away from the criminal justice system.

The appointments of Fetiye “Tia” Kazee and Keevon Johnson as co-responders brings the services of the Human Services Co-Responders program to Bristol Township, Bristol Borough and Tullytown Borough. 

“We are so fortunate to partner with police leadership to bring our co-responder initiative to three more communities,” said Rachael Neff, director of the county’s Human Services Division. “Keevon and Tia are excellent additions to our ever-growing Human Services Co-Responder team.”

Co-responders work in collaboration with agencies in the county’s criminal justice system, like police and prosecutors, as well as social services agencies that assist with issues related to aging, substance abuse and mental health.

Two police officers, a woman and a man

PHOTO: Fetiye "Tia" Kazee, second from left, and Keevon Johnson, second from right, were hired last month to work as Human Services Co-Responders alongside police in Bristol Township, Bristol Borough and Tullytown Borough. Kazee and Johnson are pictured here outside the Bristol Township Police Department flanked by Bristol Township Police Chief Robert Coulton, left, and Bristol Borough Police Chief Joe Moors, right.

As of late April, the program is now operating in six municipalities, with co-responders also working with police in Bensalem Township, Falls Township and Middletown Township.

Kazee and Johnson both start their new positions at a salary of $59,000. The county has agreed to fund each co-responder position for two years.

“We are looking forward to working with the co-responders here in Bristol Borough,” said borough police Chief Joe Moors. “The program will be an asset to our community.”

The county launched the co-responder program in December 2020 with its pilot initiative in Bensalem. 

A review of the program’s first year showed a trending decline in the average amount of time Bensalem police spent responding to social services calls. Of the 18 cases involving co-responders where an arrest was possible, more than half saw people diverted from further contact with the criminal justice system.

In that year, the co-responders had assisted 212 people and made referrals to 77 agencies. 

“Keevon and Tia are highly qualified for these positions, and we are thrilled to have them on the team,” said Bristol Township police Lt. Ralph Johnson. “There is maximum potential for success as we move forward with this addition to our policing toolbox.”

Media Contact: James O’Malley, 215-348-6414, [email protected]

Facebook Twitter Email

Other News in County News & Press Releases

Heat Warning Graphic

Bucks County Issues Excessive Heat Warning

Posted on: September 5, 2023

BCCF Inmate Death Under Investigation

Posted on: January 17, 2023
Vaccine vials in a basket next to a hazardous waste container.

Weekly COVID Update March 11

Posted on: March 11, 2022
Stickers

Weekly COVID Update March 4

Posted on: March 4, 2022
A man and a syringe

Weekly COVID Update Feb. 18

Posted on: February 18, 2022
Vaccine vials in a basket next to a hazardous waste container.

Weekly COVID Update Feb. 11

Posted on: February 11, 2022
bernard - ep1 (1)

Bucks County Conversations: Episode 1

Posted on: February 9, 2022
A basket of empty syringes at the county-run Warwick vaccine clinic

Weekly COVID Update Feb. 4

Posted on: February 4, 2022
A basket of empty syringes at the county-run Warwick vaccine clinic

Weekly COVID Update Jan. 21

Posted on: January 21, 2022
A basket full of COVID-19 vaccine vials.

Weekly COVID Update Jan. 14

Posted on: January 14, 2022
A basket of empty syringes at the county-run Warwick vaccine clinic

Weekly COVID Update Jan. 7

Posted on: January 7, 2022
COVID vaccines in containers

Weekly COVID Update Dec. 30

Posted on: December 30, 2021
COVID vaccines in containers

Weekly COVID Update Dec. 23

Posted on: December 23, 2021
A woman pulling a vaccine dose.

Weekly COVID Update Dec. 17

Posted on: December 17, 2021
COVID vaccines in containers

Weekly COVID Update Dec. 10

Posted on: December 10, 2021
COVID vaccines in containers

Weekly COVID Update Dec. 3

Posted on: December 3, 2021
COVID vaccines in containers

Weekly COVID Update Nov. 29

Posted on: November 29, 2021
A COVID vaccine vial and needle.

Weekly COVID Update Nov. 19

Posted on: November 19, 2021
Vaccine vials in a basket next to a hazardous waste container.

Weekly COVID Update Nov. 12

Posted on: November 12, 2021
COVID vaccines in containers

COVID Weekly Update Nov. 5

Posted on: November 5, 2021
A woman pulling a vaccine dose.

COVID Weekly Update: Week of Oct. 11

Posted on: October 18, 2021
A COVID vaccine vial and needle.

COVID Weekly Update: Week of Oct. 4

Posted on: October 12, 2021