Mental Health Services
The Largo Police Department Mental Health Team provides a coordinated, professional and compassionate police response to individuals affected by mental illness and their families. By working collaboratively with partnering agencies, we can achieve improved outcomes for individuals affected by mental illnesses or suffering a crisis by connecting them to needed services and diverting them away from the criminal justice system whenever possible.
MEET THE TEAM
Ofc . Soto has been a police officer with the City of Largo for the past 17 years. Ofc. Soto has worked in many different capacities throughout his career including patrol, school resource officer, and the problem-oriented policing unit. He has been on the Largo Police Department’s S.W.A.T team for over 14 years. He is presently a sniper on the team, as well as a rappel master. He is currently serving the community as Largo P.D.’s first Mental Health Liaison. The position presented a unique opportunity to develop and tailor a new role within the police department where an officer is paired with a social worker to address community mental health needs and connect people with services. The challenge of learning a new aspect of policing, coupled with the initiative and out-of-the-box thinking required to find solutions attracted him to the task. Out of all the positions held at this agency, this position has been the most satisfying and rewarding job of his career. CONTACT OFC. SOTO: 727-586-7383, Dispatch 727-587-6730, [email protected]