What Our Partners Say
Perspectives from law enforcement and behavioral health leaders who have worked with Abbott Solutions for Justice.
Superintendent Andrew Lacey Ph.D., An Garda Síochána
Dr. Sarah Abbott played a key role in the research and design of the CAST Project in Ireland, which created the world's first National Co-Response programme. Through collaboration with Abbott Solutions for Justice and various Police Departments, the project has established a strong foundation and achieved significant impacts in service delivery.
The field of crisis intervention, diversion, and co-response is expanding globally. Dr Abbott’s drive and evidence-based research in the area have influenced this change considerably. It is an honor to call Dr Abbott a friend and a colleague. The Irish people who experience crises and situational trauma, and the blue light services who respond to such calls, will forever be grateful for the work of Dr. Sarah Abbott as our project implementation continues to grow.
Lester Baker - Chief of Police, Framingham Police Department
Very few people make a mark on law enforcement that helps change the trajectory of how we do things. Dr. Sarah Abbott is one of those unique individuals who has positively impacted law enforcement, particularly in how we approach people in crisis.
The Framingham Police Department does not consider the Jail Diversion Program a unit or a division; it’s our culture.
The City of Framingham will forever be thankful for the work of Dr. Sarah Abbott.
Sean Riley - Deputy Chief - Operations, City of Framingham Police Department
Dr. Sarah Abbott joined the Framingham Police Department in 2003, when she helped launch the first-of-its-kind Co-Response Jail Diversion Program with then-Deputy Chief Craig Davis. This program has since been replicated throughout the state as a result of its success in helping people in mental health crises. Since 2003, under Dr. Sarah Abbott’s leadership, the program has expanded and helped assist thousands of people.
Very few people make a mark on law enforcement that helps change the trajectory of how we do things. Dr. Sarah Abbott is one of those unique people who has positively changed law enforcement in how we deal with people in crisis.
Brian Johnson, Sergeant, Franklin, Massachusetts Police Department
Dr. Sarah Abbott runs one of the most exceptional programs available. As a police officer for over twenty years, I have seen the rapid increase in calls for people experiencing a mental health crisis. Officers today are tasked with more duties than ever before. Training is coming along, but there is no substitute for the clinician from the Jail Diversion Program.
Sarah was the key contributor to bringing the Franklin/Medway JDP program to life. She guided us the entire way, helped us navigate the Massachusetts Department of Mental Health system, and led us in bringing this program to full force.
Sarah has exceptionally high standards. It is because of her hard work and determination for this cause that this program stands apart from others.
Paul Shastany - Director of Police Services, Bourne Police Department
Since 2003, I have had the privilege of working with Dr. Sarah Abbott at the Framingham Police Department. We began what would be the most important project I ever collaborated on: diverting people from jail to treatment for mental health issues.
Sarah transformed my philosophical views and proposed an alternative solution, offering treatment rather than arrest.
Sarah brought ‘justice’ back through compassionate treatment that all too often was denied to those suffering. I learned how important she was when one of our officers saved a suicidal man by using the skills that he attributed to riding alongside her.
She has changed Policing, not only in Framingham but in many other cities and towns.
Sarah is a visionary professional who knows how to incorporate change in otherwise slow-to-change organizations.
Rebecca Wolfe, M.Ed. - Clinical Responder, Arlington Police Department
The Arlington Police Department is a Council of State Government Justice Center Mental Health and Law Enforcement Learning Site, and we host representatives from police departments across the United States. We have invited Dr. Sarah Abbott to present at each training, and she is by far the highlight of our program.
Dr. Abbott’s vast knowledge, along with her enthusiasm and sense of humor, is what our guests remember most about their visit to the Learning Site.
Dr. Abbott created the first co-response program in Massachusetts in 2003, and in 2010, I launched the Arlington Police Department’s award-winning co-response program with her guidance.
The police programs that Dr. Abbott developed are positively impacting generations of communities. She is a dynamic presenter who is the foremost authority on this model and in this field.