Most voters believe that it is necessary for community safety departments to hire employees with significant prior academic and field experience in mental health, social work, or other related fields.

  • 57% said it was necessary for individuals hired in a community safety department to have “at least three years of relevant work experience in a field such as social work, mental health care, or drug counseling.”
  • 54% said it was necessary for individuals hired in a community safety department to have “specific college or post-graduate coursework in relevant fields, such as psychology and psychiatry, substance use and abuse, or social work.”