Mental health clinicians will start answering some 911 calls in Chicago, instead of cops By STMW NEWS 'Strike force,' federal aid arriving to help Chicago with crimes: Supt. Brown Chicago Police Superintendent David Brown said a 'strike force,' and federal aid is coming to help with gun violence after meeting with President Joe Biden Monday at the White House. CHICAGO - For the first time in Chicago, some 911 calls for mental health emergencies won’t be answered by police officers but by mental health professionals paired with paramedics. In one pilot program starting this fall, a paramedic will be dispatched with a mental health clinician for "behavioral health calls." In another, a paramedic will work with a "recovery specialist" on calls involving substance abuse.