Superintendent Andrew Lacey Ph.D., An Garda Síochána
Through practitioner knowledge and academic expertise, Dr. Sarah Abbott became an integral part of the research and design of the CAST Project in Ireland, which established the first National Co-Response programme in the world. Through consistent collaboration with Abbott Solutions for Justice and several Police Departments engaged with Dr. Abbott, the implementation of the pioneering project has developed a substantial foundation that has already resulted in significant impacts in its service delivery.
As the implementation lead for An Garda Síochána (Irish National Police Service), Dr. Abbott’s guidance and support shaped the trajectory of the CAST's embryonic stages, which required five years of planning and design. Dr. Sarah Abbott's infectious enthusiasm filtered through the implementation team and afforded us in-person visits to enhance the understanding through experiential exposure. Co-response requires evaluation and justification, and Dr Abbott taught me how to turn doubters into believers, which is an admirable trait for a person who believes in hard work and perseverance.
The field of crisis intervention, diversion, and co-response is growing across the international landscape. 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 crisis and situational trauma and blue light services who respond to calls of this nature will forever be grateful for the work of Dr. Sarah Abbott as our project implementation grows further.
Lester Baker - Chief of Police, Framingham Police Department
Dr. Sarah Abbott joined the Framingham Police Department in 2003, when she helped launch the first of its kind, the Co-Response Jail Diversion Program, alongside then-Deputy Chief Davis.
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.
Dr. Sarah Abbott was ahead of her time. Across the country, people are now demanding the model that Dr. Abbott started 22 years ago, which I’m proud to say I was part of since its inception. The Framingham Police Department does not consider the Jail Diversion Program a unit or a division; it’s our culture.
As a patrolman at the start of this program, to now being fortunate enough to be Chief, with this established initiative, I have seen firsthand through all department ranks, how important this is. I have been fortunate enough to watch, a brilliant idea completely changes a culture of how things are done, in a police agency.
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 became part of the Framingham Police Department back 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 that has changed law enforcement in a positive way in how we deal with people in crisis.
Paul Shastany - Director of police services, bourne, massachusetts police department
Since 2003, I have had the privilege of working with Dr. Sarah Abbott at the Framingham Police Department. We began 22 years ago in 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 was responsible for creating an alternative solution, offering treatment instead of 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. Sarah is now responsible for the successful replication and sustainability of the Co-Response Jail Diversion Program. 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. Dr. Sarah Abbott has made a difference for me and for the thousands of people she has worked with and supported along the way.”
Brian johnson Sergeant - Administrative Services Division, 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. They bring a level of education and experience that street officers cannot be expected to acquire through training. Their presence on calls helps de-escalate problems before they get out of control, and many patients are far more willing to work with the JDP Clinician than they are with an officer. 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 to being able to bring this program into full force.
Since its inception, we have observed the development of officers’ attitudes and skills during these calls. They learn from the clinician and use those new skills even when the clinician is not present. Sarah told us early on that this is a significant goal of the program: changing officers’ attitudes and responses to persons in a mental health crisis. It has delivered. Sarah has exceptionally high standards. It is because of her hard work and determination for this cause that sets this program apart from others.
Rebecca Wolfe M.Ed. - Clinical Responder/Jail Diversion Program 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. Her research and knowledge of police co-response are unparalleled. She has developed numerous successful co-response programs for various-sized police departments, and she generously shares the lessons learned along the way with our guests. Dr. Abbott’s vast scope of knowledge, along with her enthusiasm and sense of humor, are 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.