How Philadelphia police draw on personal experiences to respond to mental health crises

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — On a frigid February morning, Vanity Cordero, a Philadelphia police officer, heard a call over the radio for a man threatening to jump from a bridge. The details sounded familiar.

When Cordero arrived, she realized she’d met him months earlier on the same bridge, where she talked him down by engaging him in conversation about his family and by bringing him a hot meal.

Cordero is a member of a program that pairs trained officers with mental health and social work clinicians to respond to 911 calls and other crises. It's focused on de-escalation practices and providing connections to services including follow-up support as an alternative to arrest and entering into the criminal justice system.

The unit started as a pilot program in late 2022, nearly two years after the fatal police shooting of Walter Wallace Jr., who was experiencing a mental health episode when police responded to his mother's call for help.

Studies over the past two decades have shown a person with serious mental illness can be over 10 times more likely to experience use of force during police interactions.

In the wake of Wallace's death, the police and the city both invested in programs to better respond to mental health crises — one of dozens of similar initiatives in other police departments across the country.

What makes Philadelphia's unit unique is the robust follow-up resources and that most of the officers on Philadelphia's team, including Cordero, have personal experiences that made them want to join — family members with mental illness or addictions or previous work with at-risk populations.

Cordero grew up living with her uncle, who her mother takes care of because of an intellectual disability that today would be diagnosed as autism, she said. She's an advocate for better practices for police interacting with autistic people.

“When I’m on the street and I’m serving in the community, I think of someone being my uncle or, you know, any family member. Everyone is a family member to someone,” she said. ”It just gives you a little bit more edge and patience and courteousness to the people that need your help."

On this February morning, Cordero rushed to the bridge as a member of the Crisis Intervention Response Team to help responding patrol officers.

CIRT teams, who drive SUVs without police lights and department decals and wear less formal uniforms, are often requested by other officers to assist, and also choose calls to respond to citywide.

She stayed back until she was needed, but the man spotted her and teased her about not being as tan as she was the last time they saw each other.

They laughed about Cordero getting pale over the winter months and she reminded him it was cold outside, especially on that bridge.

A few hours later, the man was on his way to a mandatory mental health hold and clinician Krystian Gardner would follow up in the coming days and offer resources to the man's family.

A lot of officers on the team said many calls were about mental health when they were on regular patrol. But officers usually have just a few minutes to spend handling calls before being pulled to the next incident.

The CIRT team, however, spends more than an hour on average with each person, said Lt. Victoria Casale, who oversees the unit.

“In policing, there just isn't the resources or time to spend hours on calls,” Casale said. “But we want our officers to spend time with people. We're not leaving you. We're trying to solve this problem with you.”

The team's clinicians, who work for the nonprofit Merakey, a behavioral health provider, also bring experience and resources to the table.

Audrey Lundy, program director for Merakey, said one of her first calls with the unit reframed her perspective. Instead of doing a typical welfare check — on a mother who hadn't been to work in awhile — Lundy and the CIRT officer brought over groceries for the family using a flexible needs spending card. The woman had gotten sick, was unable to work and began experiencing a financial crisis.

The groceries opened the door to a broader conversation about the resources that may be available to help her cover school costs, long-term expenses and ultimately, get back to her job.

The officers like the idea of being problem solvers. For Officer Kenneth Harper, a Marine combat veteran, his CIRT assignment has given him the opportunity to help fellow veterans having a hard time readjusting to civilian life or dealing with mental health concerns.

“There was a gentleman that served over 30 years in the Army — a very decorated, highly respected person,” Harper said. “But he was very stubborn, never received any help or services.”

Harper and another officer with military experience built a rapport with the man, eventually getting him to the veterans hospital for treatment and help with housing.

“We kept in touch for months after that, checking in,” he said.

Casale said Harper has gone far above and beyond, even recruiting other veterans in the department to share trainings about trauma responses and resources for vets.

It's just one way the small unit has expanded its reach. The eight-officer CIRT team covers the entire city on weekdays, but crises don't stop on nights and weekends. Casale hopes the team can grow in numbers as districts across the city become familiar with and trust the work they do.

They want people to call CIRT directly if they need help instead of waiting until it's an emergency and calling 911.

“We want them to call us,” Cordero said, of connecting with the man on the bridge. “I told him, you know, you can call us. We can just go eat. We don’t have to keep meeting on this bridge.”

This story includes discussion of suicide. If you or someone you know needs help, the national suicide and crisis lifeline in the U.S. is available by calling or texting 988. There is also an online chat at 988lifeline.org.

Crisis Intervention Response Team (CIRT) members Therapist Krystian Gardner, left, and Philadelphia Police Officer Vanity Cordero talk after a call in Philadelphia, Friday, March 14, 2025. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)

Crisis Intervention Response Team (CIRT) member Therapist Krystian Gardner speaks during an interview in Philadelphia, Friday, March 14, 2025. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)

Crisis Intervention Response Team (CIRT) members Therapist Krystian Gardner, left, and Philadelphia Police Officer Vanity Cordero prepare to go out on calls in Philadelphia, Friday, March 14, 2025. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)

Crisis Intervention Response Team (CIRT) members Philadelphia Police Officer Vanity Cordero, left, and Therapist Krystian Gardner check a computer for calls to assist on in Philadelphia, Friday, March 14, 2025. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)

Crisis Intervention Response Team (CIRT) member Therapist Krystian Gardner speaks with her partner Philadelphia Police Officer Vanity Cordero in Philadelphia, Friday, March 14, 2025. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)

Crisis Intervention Response Team (CIRT) member Philadelphia Police Officer Vanity Cordero walks back to her vehicle after checking on a person, Philadelphia, Friday, March 14, 2025. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)

Crisis Intervention Response Team (CIRT) member Philadelphia Police Officer Vanity Cordero checks for a computer for possible calls to assist on in Philadelphia, Friday, March 14, 2025. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)

Crisis Intervention Response Team (CIRT) members Philadelphia Police Officer Vanity Cordero checks a computer for calls to assist on, in Philadelphia, Friday, March 14, 2025. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)

Crisis Intervention Response Team (CIRT) members Therapist Krystian Gardner, right, and Philadelphia Police Officer Vanity Cordero talk after convincing a person to go into hospital for mental health treatment in Philadelphia, Friday, March 14, 2025. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)

Crisis Intervention Response Team (CIRT) members Therapist Krystian Gardner, right, and Philadelphia Police Officer Vanity Cordero move to their vehicle near the start of their shift in Philadelphia, Friday, March 14, 2025. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)

CHICAGO (AP) — Caleb Williams dropped back, pump-faked and found DJ Moore wide open down the sideline for the go-ahead touchdown.

His latest clutch throw propelled the Chicago Bears to yet another improbable comeback win and kept their breakout season going for at least another round of the postseason.

Williams came through in his playoff debut, throwing a 25-yard touchdown pass to Moore with 1:43 remaining, and the Chicago Bears rallied from an 18-point deficit to beat the rival Green Bay Packers 31-27 in a wild-card game on Saturday night.

The NFC North champion Bears (12-6) extended their resurgent first season under coach Ben Johnson with their seventh fourth-quarter comeback victory. They split two down-to-the-wire games with Green Bay in the regular season, and this one turned out to be a thriller when it looked like it would be a breeze for the Packers (9-8-1).

Chicago trailed 21-3 at halftime and 21-6 through three quarters, only to outscore Green Bay 25-6 in the fourth on the way to its first playoff win in 15 years.

“True belief,” Williams said. “Belief. That's all you need. You got belief in the coaches that they're gonna call the right play at the right time. You got belief in the players on the field that you're gonna make the right play at the right time.”

After Williams connected with Moore to give the Bears their first lead since it was 3-0, Jordan Love led Green Bay into Chicago territory. But on third down at the 28, he dropped the snap, scrambled and heaved a pass to the end zone with no time left. Jaquan Brisker deflected the ball, setting off a wild celebration — and a curt handshake between Johnson and Packers coach Matt LaFleur.

The Bears will host a divisional-round game next weekend.

“We just keep plugging along," Johnson said. “We keep fighting. We've been proving that this year. That's who we are, that's what we do.”

Chicago pulled within 21-16 on D’Andre Swift’s 5-yard run early in the fourth quarter. The Packers responded, with rookie Matthew Golden breaking three tackles and leapfrogging a fourth defender on a 23-yard catch-and-run for his first career touchdown, making it 27-16. Brandon McManus missed the extra point wide left.

The Bears went 76 yards, with Williams throwing an 8-yard touchdown pass to Olamide Zaccheaus and hitting rookie Colston Loveland for the 2-point conversion to make it 27-24 with 4:18 remaining.

The Packers then drove to the Chicago 21, only to come away with nothing when McManus missed wide right on a 44-yard field goal attempt. The Bears responded with the go-ahead touchdown drive and hung on for their first playoff win since the 2010 team beat Seattle in the divisional round at Soldier Field. They had lost three straight in the postseason, starting with a loss to Aaron Rodgers and the Packers in the NFC championship game that season.

Green Bay dominated Chicago for years. But the momentum in the NFL's longest-running rivalry seems to be turning, with the Bears beating the Packers for the third time in the past five games.

“We’re here and I’m going to be here for a while, is my plan,” Williams said. “Be in a bunch of games, be in these moments and come out victorious. That’s the mindset for right now this year. That’s also the mindset for the future.”

The Bears envisioned nights like this when they drafted Williams No. 1 overall last year, and when they hired Johnson in the offseason. Williams delivered after a shaky start, throwing for 361 yards and the two late touchdowns. He completed 24 of 48 passes and was intercepted twice.

Loveland caught eight passes for a career-high 137 yards for the Bears, who had closed the regular season with tight losses to San Francisco and Detroit.

The Packers dropped their final five games. That certainly was not what they envisioned when they acquired star pass rusher Micah Parsons from Dallas in late August and sent expectations soaring. The two-time All-Pro suffered a season-ending knee injury in a Week 15 loss at Denver, and the defense struggled without him.

"I know we fought through a lot of adversity this year," coach Matt LaFleur said. “Unfortunately we didn’t do enough to overcome that adversity. That’s all of us collectively. We’ve got to do more.”

Love threw for 323 yards and four touchdowns after missing the final two regular-season games. He hadn’t played since a helmet-to-helmet hit from Chicago’s Austin Booker in the second quarter of a Week 16 loss at Soldier Field.

Romeo Doubs, Christian Watson and Jayden Reed each had TD catches in the first half. Ty’Ron Hopper stopped a threat in the third quarter when he intercepted a backpedaling Williams near the goal line.

“I don’t think it’s we don’t have the composure, I think it’s just the situation we put ourselves in,” Love said. “Jumping out to a lead and doing what we wanted in the first half and then the second half kind of a completely different story. I think for any team that’s going to be frustrating, and you’ve got to find ways to be able to overcome that and get back to it. I think we did, but it was just a little too late.”

Packers: RT Zach Tom (knee) was inactive after missing the Packers’ final three regular-season games. ... Backup OL Jacob Monk (biceps) left the game in the first half.

Bears: Johnson said LB T.J. Edwards (broken left fibula) is out for the remainder of the season, and LT Ozzy Trapilo (knee) likely is, too. Edwards was carted off the field in the second quarter after his left foot got caught up with the leg of Watson and bent awkwardly. He was fitted with an air cast before he was taken away. Trapilo was hurt blocking on a pass play on the go-ahead drive. ... CB Kyler Gordon (groin) was activated from injured reserve after being sidelined since Week 13.

Packers: Start the offseason.

Bears: Host a divisional-round game against either the Los Angeles Rams or Philadelphia. The Eagles play San Francisco on Sunday, and the Rams knocked out Carolina on Saturday.

AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl

Green Bay Packers' Jayden Reed catches a touchdown pass in front of Chicago Bears' Tremaine Edmunds during the first half of an NFL wild-card playoff football game Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Nam Huh)

Chicago Bears tight end Colston Loveland (84) is tackled by Detroit Lions cornerback Avonte Maddox (29) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)

Chicago Bears' Colston Loveland runs after catching a pass during the second half of an NFL wild-card playoff football game against the Green Bay Packers Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley)

Chicago Bears' Caleb Williams throws during the second half of an NFL wild-card playoff football game against the Green Bay Packers Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Nam Huh)

Green Bay Packers' Matthew Golden gets past Chicago Bears' Montez Sweat for a touchdown during the second half of an NFL wild-card playoff football game Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley)

Chicago Bears' Caleb Williams celebrates after an NFL wild-card playoff football game against the Green Bay Packers Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley)

Chicago Bears' DJ Moore catches a touchdown pass during the second half of an NFL wild-card playoff football game against the Green Bay Packers Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Nam Huh)