Minneapolis audit finds gaps in Behavioral Crisis Response program oversight

A new audit found Minneapolis has not had clear ways to measure whether its Behavioral Crisis Response (BCR) program is working. The audit from the City Auditor s Office found the Minneapolis Fire Department lacked metrics and standards to measure the program s success, which made financial oversight more difficult as well. The BCR program sends mental and behavioral health professionals to some nonviolent 911 calls instead of only traditional first responders. The program started in 2021 and is most recently overseen by the Minneapolis Fire Department, with a company contracted to provide the services. RELATED: Future of emergency response being reshaped by mental health responders The Auditor s Office, presenting to Audit Committee members on Monday, said the scope was not to determine whether money was misspent or whether services were lacking. The audit found the Minneapolis Fire Department lacked the core tools needed to ensure accurate billing, evaluate service deliv