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. We also work to Team will reduce calls for police service related to mental illness and will improve safety for officers and all members of the community.
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 to include 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. 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, ASoto@largo.com
Tianna Audet is originally from Auburn, Maine where she received her Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Southern Maine in Social and Behavioral Science, with a concentration in counseling. Post graduation, Tianna became a Mobile Outreach Crisis Counselor for Tri County Mental Health in Lewiston, Maine for 4 years. Tianna relocated to Florida where she graduated from USF with her Masters degree in social work in 2018. In July of 2018, Tianna began working full time with Directions for Living as a CABHI Counselor, aiding individuals with serious mental illness and substance abuse. After working this position for a year, she transferred careers within Directions for Living to a Mental Health Navigator with Largo Police Department.
CONTACT TIANNA: taudet@directionsforliving.org