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Athens County Sheriff's Office
Peaceful Encounter Program (PEP)
The Peaceful Encounter Program (PEP) is a free, voluntary, and confidential database designed to provide first responders with necessary information regarding community members diagnosed with mental or behavioral health disorders.
IMPROVING EMERGENCY RESPONSE THROUGH AWARENEWSS AND UNDERSTANDING
In emergency situations, deputies often do not have access to vital information about individuals who may have diagnosed mental or behavioral health disorders. These moments can be critical - not only for the safety of the individual involved, but also for ensuring a compassionate and effective response from law enforcement.
To bridge this gap, the Athens County Sheriff’s Office has launched the Peaceful Encounter Program (PEP). This voluntary program is designed to help deputies respond more appropriately and effectively when interacting with individuals who have severe diagnosed mental health or behavioral disorders.
While all Athens County deputies receive general training in crisis intervention, having personalized information - such as known triggers, behavioral tendencies, and preferred communication strategies - greatly enhances our ability to de-escalate and support individuals in crisis.
WHO CAN ENROLL
The Peaceful Encounter Program is open to individuals (or their legal guardians/caregivers) with diagnoses including, but not limited to:
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Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
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Schizophrenia or Schizoaffective Disorder
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Bipolar Disorder
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Major Depressive Disorder
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Delusional Disorder
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Severe Anxiety or PTSD
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Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD)
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Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
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Psychosis
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Other serious behavioral or mental health conditions
HOW IT WORKS
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Individuals, family members, or legal guardians may voluntarily submit key information to the Sheriff’s Office.
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After submission, you will be contacted by our team to verify and confirm your enrollment.
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Once confirmed, the information will be securely stored in our system, accessible to deputies only in the event of an emergency involving the enrolled individual.
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This ensures that responders are informed, prepared, and equipped to manage the situation with empathy and care.
WHY IT MATTERS
When law enforcement understands the needs and behaviors of those with mental or behavioral health disorders, the likelihood of peaceful and safe resolutions greatly increases.
The Peaceful Encounter Program has the potential to greatly improve outcomes during crises by equipping deputies with essential, individualized information. It is our hope to empower deputies with knowledge, and to ease the mind of individuals, caregivers, and families who may require emergency assistance in order to assure that all parties receive the proper case and assistance.