Behavioral Health Unit assignments are pulled from internal patrol officer referrals

In recent years, the number of referrals to the Behavioral Health Unit has decreased even as the number of people served has risen slightly. Sgt. Josh Silverman, who oversees the unit, credits efforts to better educate officers about who the unit is best suited to help.

The Oregonian/OregonLive pulled this data from Portland Police Bureau annual reports going back to 2014. The unit launched in 2013, but did not collect assignment data. In 2014 and 2017, only a percentage of referrals assigned was given. The Oregonian/OregonLive used that percentage to calculate assignments for those years. There was no data recorded for referrals or assignments in 2018.
Chart: Lillian Mongeau HughesSource: Portland Police BureauGet the data Created with Datawrapper