Monday, January 19, 2026 |
Photo – Saratoga Police Chief John Moore – Courtesy Saratoga Police Department
The Saratoga Police Department is partnering with a South Dakota telemedicine provider to deliver mental health services in the field.
During the January 7th Saratoga Town Council meeting, Police Chief John Moore announced that he has teamed up with Avel eCare, a Sioux Falls-based virtual healthcare company. Through Avel eCare’s Crisis Care service, Chief Moore said officers can provide mental health support to individuals during police encounters.
Last year, the Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust donated $2.4 million to expand law enforcement’s access to virtual behavioral health support in Wyoming. The Wyoming Association of Sheriffs and Chiefs of Police partnered with Avel eCare to deliver those services.
According to Avel eCare’s website, Crisis Care enables law enforcement officers to connect with licensed behavioral health professionals around the clock using a secure, cellular‑enabled tablet. Avel also links individuals to local behavioral health resources for follow‑up care.
At the January 7th town meeting, Police Chief Moore said the Crisis Care service will help officers more easily determine if an individual qualifies for a Title 25 hold, which permits involuntary psychiatric commitment when someone poses a danger to themselves or others.
Last month, Sheriff Alex Bakken announced that the Carbon County Sheriff’s Office was looking into the possibility of partnering with Avel eCare as well. Speaking at the December 2nd Board of Carbon County Commissioners meeting, Sheriff Bakken explained that his deputies often encounter people in the midst of a mental health crisis during emergency calls, but those individuals don’t always meet the criteria for a Title 25 hold. The sheriff said the Crisis Care service could help in those situations, adding that Carbon County is not alone in considering the program.
In a media release announcing the donation, Governor Mark Gordon is quoted as saying, “The Helmsley Charitable Trust is an extraordinary friend and active partner to Wyoming. I thank them for recognizing that our law enforcement officers regularly face individuals suffering mental health crises, often in remote locations without easy access to crisis care professionals.” Governor Gordan emphasized that the funding will allow officers to quickly access professional mental health resources and provide crucial follow up care, which the governor said is a key component of the program.
It remains unclear at this time if the Sheriff’s Office has also entered into a formal partnership with Avel eCare.
