Police In Doylestown Twp., Plumstead, And New Britain Join Co-Responder Program

DOYLESTOWN, PA ? The Bucks County co-responder program, which pairs law enforcement and social workers, has expanded to include three more Central Bucks police departments.

Bucks County Human Services Co-Responder Scott Marshall is now working with police in Doylestown Township, Plumstead Township and New Britain Township in diverting people in need of social services away from the criminal justice system.

The award-winning program helps to decrease the time police officers spend responding to situations involving social services needs, freeing up officers for emergency responses.

?We are so proud of our co-responders for the commitment they have made to supporting our most vulnerable residents,? said Bucks County Commissioner Diane Ellis-Marseglia, ?and we are equally grateful for the care and trust the police of Bucks County have shown in welcoming our
co-responders into their departments. This program is all the proof one could ever need that when we work together as a community, we can change lives for the better.?

Marshall started the job in May at a salary of $62,000. He comes to the role with a history of collaborating with area law enforcement and social services agencies to serve individuals experiencing hardship and crisis.

From left are Bucks County Human Services Director Rachael Neff, Bucks County Community Engagement Officer Ivone Kovalsky, New Britain Township Police Chief Richard Clowser, Human Services Co-Responder Scott Marshall, Plumstead Township Police Chief David Mettin and Doylestown Township Police Chief Charles Ziegler.

Since launching in 2020, the co-responders program has expanded to include 27 police departments countywide.

?The expansion of our co-responder program reflects how critical the partnerships are between law enforcement and human services,? said Human Services Director Rachael Neff. ?We appreciate the collaboration with our new partners at the Doylestown Township, New Britain Township and Plumstead Police Departments and look forward to serving these communities.?

Since 2020, co-responders have assisted more than 2,900 people across some 14,000 encounters and follow-ups.

The program is active in the following police departments: Bedminster, Bensalem, Bristol Borough, Bristol Township, Doylestown Township, Dublin Borough, Falls Township, Hilltown, Lower Makefield, Middletown, Morrisville Borough, New Britain Township, Newtown Borough, Newtown Township, Pennridge Regional, Perkasie Borough, Plumstead Township, Quakertown Borough, Richland Township, Springfield Township, Tinicum Township, Tullytown Borough, Upper Makefield, Warminster, Warrington, Warwick and Yardley Borough.

The success of the program has been recognized by the National Association of Counties, which named it a 2023 Achievement Award Winner.