Irvine’s New I-CARE Team

Photo obtained from the IPD Facebook page

In addition to protecting our City from criminal activity, the Irvine Police Department (IPD) responds to nearly 2,400 mental health-related calls each year. Irvine’s police officers are highly trained in identifying those suffering from mental illness and those in crisis.

IPD currently supports the community through the department’s Mental Health Outreach Unit, its partnership with the Orange County Health Care Agency, and its work with the City of Irvine’s FOR Families program and the Keen Center for Senior Resources at the Lakeview Senior Center.

Now, IPD has established a new resource, the Irvine Community Alternative Response and Engagement (I-CARE) Team. This new team will handle mental health crisis interventions, homeless outreach and resource connection, nonviolent dispute resolution, welfare checks, and other community-based needs that may not require a law enforcement response.

According to the IPD, the I-CARE team will work closely with the police department’s Mental Health Outreach Unit officers and patrol to provide the highest quality of service to those in need.