Crisis Support Unit

Among the goals of the Crisis Support Unit are to reduce the stigma attached to mental health and mitigate the fear associated with law enforcement. We approach our work with these goals at the forefront to promote safety and dignity of those experiencing crisis within our community. All interactions with the Crisis Support Unit are confidential in nature, to include reports and resolutions.

If 9 – 1 – 1 is called, the Crisis Support Unit may respond if the incident involves mental health concerns, homelessness, or a variety of crises. When working with the Crisis Support Unit, our team will arrive in an unmarked vehicle and plain clothes. A variety of assessments will be completed including danger to self or others. If individuals meet the criteria for danger to self or others, as referenced in Health and Safety Code 573, the individual may be placed under an Emergency Detention and brought to the closest appropriate hospital for an evaluation. If the individual does not pose a risk to themselves or others and, thus, does not meet criteria for an Emergency Detention, then additional resources will be provided to the individual and/or family members.

The Crisis Support Unit will follow-up with individuals in person or by telephone to address any continued unmet needs.

The crisis support unit oversees the COPE program. The Grand Prairie Police Department’s COPE initiative stands for “Community Outreach Partnership and Education.” This information-sharing program allows first responders to have immediate access to helpful information when encountering those in a mental health crisis. Our first responders are dedicated to partnering with our citizens with disabilities, and it is our proactive goal to have a program in place to assist. In the event a person is unable to properly identify themselves, or becomes lost/disoriented, or might act in a manner that could be misinterpreted by first responders, this information could be accessed rapidly to promote safe and assistive outcomes. For more information, visit Grand Prairie COPE program.

Courtney Runnels, LPC-S, CART; Crisis Support Manager

Courtney earned a Bachelor’s of Science in Psychology and Criminal Justice from Stephen F. Austin State University and a Master’s of Science in Psychology from Texas A&M Commerce. Courtney is a Licensed Professional Counselor Supervisor through the Texas State Board of Examiners of Professional Counselors. She is also a Certified Anger Resolution Therapist and trained in EMDR. 

Courtney currently works as the Crisis Support Manager for the Grand Prairie Police Department. She is a crisis interventionist and a liaison between law enforcement and the community. She is the Peer Support Coordinator for the department, working to assist in promoting officer wellness and resiliency. She is a trained crisis negotiator and serves as the mental health professional on the Grand Prairie Crisis Negotiation team. Courtney also serves as a co facilitator with the local FBI Threat Assessment Threat Management core team.

Courtney provides Crisis Intervention Training, Mental Health Peace Officer Training, and other specialized trainings to the Grand Prairie Police Department. She has experience working with first responders,  persons in crisis and persons affected by trauma.

Emily Mourik, LCSW; Crisis Support Clinician

Emily received her masters in Social Work from the University of Texas at Arlington and focused her studies in mental health and substance use disorders and is a licensed clinical social worker. She has been with the Grand Prairie Police Department in the crisis support unit since 2020 as a co-responder with a law enforcement officer. Together, they respond to 911 calls for service that have a mental health component.

She is trained in basic and advanced negotiations and acts as a liaison with the Grand Prairie crisis negotiation team. Emily also works internally at GPPD and provides first responder wellness resources. Emily serves first responders in private practice and is EMDR trained. She has experience working in community mental health and was a crisis Interventionist for a local mental health authority for several years.

Emily provides Crisis Intervention training, Mental Health Peace Officer Training, and other specialized trainings to local police departments. Emily also serves as a member with the local FBI Threat Assessment Threat Management core team.

Officer Randall Richardson

Officer Randall Richardson has 14 years of experience as a Police Officer, working in Minnesota and Oklahoma, spending the last four years with the Grand Prairie Police Department and he joined the Crisis Support Unit in November of 2020. Officer Richardson started his law enforcement career after serving 4 years of active duty with the United States Marine Corps. Having strong ties to the military and Veterans, Officer Richardson currently serves in the Texas Army National Guard. Officer Richardson is a Senior Instructor for 1-136th Regional Training Institute for the Infantry Advanced Leaders Course in Fort Hood, TX.

Officer Richardson’s credentials include:

• Master Peace Officer Certification through the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement (TCOLE)
• Associates in Science for Law Enforcement (North Hennepin Community College, MN)
• Master Resilience Trainer Certification through the United States Army and the University of Pennsylvania
• TCOLE Basic Instructor Certification

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