Knoxville expands its co-responder program, but critics question who should lead [Video]

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — The Knoxville City Council voted 8-1 to expand its current co-responder program with the Helen McNabb Center (McNabb Center). The new contract will pay the center up to $820,000 to hire two new mental health professionals, expand its team from four to six and raise the salaries of the entire staff.

Members of both Knoxville’s political leadership, law enforcement and mental health community debated the issue during Tuesday night’s city council meeting. Everyone agreed that innovative approaches towards law enforcement and mental health are needed, but some said they’re skeptical about Knoxville’s current approach.

Candace Allen, an executive vice president at the McNabb Center, said she’s proud of the work her team has done in the four-year-old program.

“What we know …