The procedure used by the department's nine-officer mental health unit to prescreen cases by telephone or at the scene and to assess and refer the individual to a hospital or other treatment center is described. Other topics discussed include the mental health system's role in interacting with the police mental evaluation unit: similar efforts of other police department also are noted. Specifically, networking arrangements, training, information sharing and hotlines in Birmingham, Ala.; Erie, Pa.; and five other jurisdictions across the country are described. Benefits to the social service system include less emergency care staff time spent unnecessarily evaluating, treating, or transferring inappropriate police referrals. Saving time, reducing danger, and increasing job satisfaction are described as three advantages law enforcement agencies derive from networking with the mental health system.