Mental Health Deputy

Lubbock County•Lubbock, TX

About The Position

The Mental Health Deputy preserves peace in Lubbock County and, using lawful means, works to prevent and suppress crime. The position supports a crisis-response system that diverts people experiencing behavioral health emergencies from unnecessary arrests, jail bookings, and hospitalizations to community-based alternatives offering crisis intervention, stabilization, and linkage to ongoing mental health services. Mental Health Deputies are specially trained officers who collaborate with community members, crisis-response teams, local mental health professionals, and law enforcement personnel. The role responds to calls and emergencies, patrols the county, enforces laws, serves criminal and mental health warrants, prepares reports, testifies in court, and assists other Sheriff’s Office divisions and law enforcement agencies. It coordinates crisis responses, helps ensure individuals are transported to appropriate crisis-stabilization or inpatient service locations, and collaborates with mental health facility staff on emergency detention or apprehension when appropriate under Texas law. The position also coordinates follow-up procedures with Detention Re-entry staff for people released from custody.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED.
Peace Officer certification through the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement (TCOLE).
Mental Health Peace Officer Certification within one year of selection.
Valid Texas Driver’s License.
Knowledge of the Texas Penal Code, Code of Criminal Procedure, Traffic Code, Health and Safety Code, and Family Code; search and seizure laws; investigations and crime-prevention methods; and defensive tactics.
Ability to safely operate vehicles, firearms, and specialized equipment and physically restrain individuals.
Ability to make decisions quickly, read and write reports and letters, and operate computers.
Ability to interpret laws, policies, and procedures; recognize problems and recommend solutions; and establish and maintain effective relationships with law enforcement agencies, the District Attorney’s Office, departmental employees, and the public.
Proficiency in oral and written communication and ability to maintain accurate records and appropriate certifications.
Good driving record.
Ability to lift or move objects weighing up to 20 pounds regularly and up to 100 pounds or more occasionally.
Ability to exert intense physical effort during emergencies, including running, jumping, and crawling.
Ability to complete a one-mile run in under 12 minutes and 30 seconds, 20 pushups in one minute, and 20 sit-ups in one minute.

Responsibilities

Promote and maintain a safe and peaceful community; preserve order; protect life and property; enforce laws and ordinances; safeguard individual liberties; and treat others fairly, with dignity and respect.
Carry out duties in conformance with federal and state statutes and Lubbock County and Sheriff’s Office policies and procedures.
Respond to emergencies as a first responder and provide mutual assistance during emergency situations.
Attend required departmental meetings and perform other duties assigned by supervisory personnel.
Take calls for service and prepare reports as needed.
Prepare for and testify in court.
Serve criminal and mental health warrants.
Assist other Sheriff’s Office divisions and other law enforcement agencies, including at crime scenes.
Patrol the county area to help ensure citizen safety.
Maintain contact with supervisory personnel to coordinate activities.
Work an assigned shift and use discretionary judgment in performing sworn duties.
Maintain a Mental Health Deputy Program that promotes collaboration between law enforcement and mental health professionals and provides crisis intervention and stabilization services.
Coordinate with Patrol Division personnel responding to requests for crisis intervention involving people identified as experiencing a behavioral health emergency.
Serve as a liaison between the Patrol Division and community stakeholders interested in behavioral health services.
Ensure individuals experiencing behavioral health emergencies are transported to appropriate service locations for crisis stabilization, including hospitals, psychiatric beds, respite or residential units, observation or stabilization units, and state hospital facilities.
When clinically appropriate, collaborate with local mental health facility staff to institute emergency detention or seek a judge’s or magistrate’s order for emergency apprehension and detention under Texas Health and Safety Code, Chapter 573.
When appropriate under Texas Health and Safety Code 574.023, transport individuals requiring admission to an inpatient mental health facility.
Maintain mandatory training standards prescribed by TCOLE for Mental Health Peace Officers, which may cover mental illness, substance use and co-occurring conditions, cultural issues, crisis intervention, de-escalation, and community resources.
Coordinate with Detention Re-entry staff to establish follow-up procedures for people being released from custody and prepared for return to the community.