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 brings 18 years of law enforcement experience, serving in both Minnesota and Oklahoma before joining the Grand Prairie Police Department, where he has worked for the past eight years.

He began his career in public service after completing four years of active duty with the United States Marine Corps, First Marine Division. With strong ties to the military and veteran community, he continues to serve as an Infantry First Sergeant for the Texas Army National Guard.

Officer Richardson is married to a fellow first responder, and together they have three children. When not busy with family sports schedules, they enjoy traveling and spending time together.

Credentials & Certifications

• Master Peace Officer Certification – Texas Commission on Law Enforcement (TCOLE)
• Associate of Science in Law Enforcement – North Hennepin Community College, MN
• Master Resilience Trainer Certification – United States Army & University of Pennsylvania
• TCOLE Basic Instructor Certification

Officer Clint Boehringer

Officer Clint Boehringer has 8 years of experience as a Grand Prairie Police Officer and he joined the Crisis Support Unit in July of 2024. Officer Boehringer has been on Patrol since April of 2017, a Crisis Negotiator from January 2019 until December of 2022, a Field Training Officer since May of 2020, and a Peer Support Team Member since February of 2020.

Officer Boehringer’s credentials include:

• Advanced Peace Officer Certification through the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement (TCOLE)
• Bachelors in Business Administration – Entrepreneurship from Baylor University.   
• Mental Health Peace Officer Certification
• TCOLE Basic Instructor Certification

Officer Greg New

Crisis Support Specialist Mindy Martinez

Mindy received her Masters in Social Work from the University of Texas at Arlington and focused her studies in mental health and substance use disorders. She has been with the Grand Prairie Police Department in the crisis support unit since April of 2024 as a co-responder with a law enforcement officer. Together, they respond to 911 calls for service that have a mental health component. In total, she has spent four years in crisis, as she worked with MCOTs crisis team in Dallas prior to her arrival with GPPD.

Dallas County Hospitals

Parkland Hospital

Hickory Trails

Dallas Behavioral

Green Oaks

Children's Hospital

Tarrant County Hospitals

John Peter Smith Hospital

Millwood

Mesa Springs

Cooks Children's Hospitals

Perimeter