Congressman Mike Thompson honors Santa Rosa Police Department detective and the inRESPONSE Mental Health Support Team at annual Public Safety Heroes Reception

On Sunday, February 16, 2025, Detective Kelsea Nelson with the Santa Rosa Police Department (SRPD) and KT Swan, with Buckelew Programs, Program Director for the inRESPONSE Mental Health Support Team were presented with Congressional Record certificates by Congressman Mike Thompson (CA-04) at the congressman’s annual “Public Safety Heroes Awards” ceremony in Vallejo. Det. Nelson and Swan received special recognition for their respective individual and team accomplishments in 2024.  

Detective Kelsea Nelson, SRPD Domestic Violence Sexual Assault Team 

In May of 2024, SRPD received a report of a missing juvenile. The juvenile's parents located a social media account, which showed sexually explicit messages between an adult male and the juvenile. The SRPD Domestic Violence Sexual Assault (DVSA) team took over the case with Detective Nelson as the lead detective. Using information contained in the messages, detectives identified the suspect, determined his address, and obtained the license plate number for a vehicle registered to him. Detective Nelson used emergency National Crime Information Center (NCIC) database resources and learned his license plate was searched in NCIC by an officer in a jurisdiction about a 12-hour drive from Santa Rosa, 12 hours before the juvenile went missing.  

Following that lead, Detective Nelson and the DVSA Team developed probable cause to believe the missing juvenile was with the suspect several states away. With the assistance of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and a local law enforcement agency, the juvenile was safely located, and the suspect was arrested for multiple state and federal charges. The information provided by NCIC and Detective Nelson’s investigative tenacity was critical in quickly locating the juvenile and apprehending the suspect. Detective Nelson’s case was selected as the 2024 NCIC Success Story of the Year. On December 11, 2024, Detective Kelsea Nelson traveled to Savannah, Georgia to be nationally recognized by the FBI for her use of the NCIC database to locate a missing juvenile believed to be several states away with an adult male.  

inRESPONSE Mental Health Support Team 

In response to community needs and feedback, a new crisis response team was established in 2022: inRESPONSE Mental Health Support Team. inRESPONSE is designed to handle service calls with a mental health-first approach. The team is composed of a licensed mental health clinician, a paramedic, a homeless engagement specialist, and wrap-around service providers. inRESPONSE is trained in de-escalation, social work interventions, and both physical and mental health evaluations. While inRESPONSE collaborates with the Santa Rosa Police Department, the team is unarmed and is best equipped to assist individuals and families in crisis by offering mental health resources. 

inRESPONSE is a different model for responding to people who are experiencing a mental health crisis. Their partnership with two non-profits, county-licensed mental health clinicians, and public safety has established a collaborative approach that benefits the community. inRESPONSE crisis vans meet people where they are. Whether at home, work, downtown, or just visiting, inRESPONSE provides in-person support and care. InRESPONSE clinicians can place mental health holds and transport them to local hospitals without a police officer ever responding. inRESPONSE provides critical bilingual and bi-cultural resources and services while giving people the dignity they deserve at one of the hardest moments of their lives. Understanding that mental health challenges are different for everyone, the wrap-around services approach helps establish family safety plans, access to detox and substance abuse resources, address food insecurity concerns, assist with long-term mental health treatment plans, and connect community members with stable housing services. 

In 2024, the inRESPONSE Mental Health Support Team responded to 4,977 calls for services and nearly 1,000 calls to our system navigators for resources and support. The mental health support team diverted 4,301 calls from a police response and 1,772 fire and EMS diversions. inRESPONSE crisis response vans now operate 24/7 to provide the Santa Rosa community with around-the-clock care.  

Police Chief John Cregan attended the event with numerous members of the SRPD and inRESPONSE teams. Chief Cregan stated, “I want to commend Detective Nelson for her exceptional work in locating and bringing home an at-risk juvenile. Her tireless dedication and investigative skills were instrumental in ensuring this young person’s safety.” Chief Cregan continued, “This case is a powerful reminder of the invaluable role our detectives play in protecting our community, and we are incredibly proud of their efforts." 

Acknowledging the honor received by the inRESPONSE Mental Health Support Team under Swan’s leadership, Chief Cregan said, “inRESPONSE is proving to be a game changer for both our officers and the community. By providing 24/7 crisis care and wrap-around services, they are helping individuals in critical moments and ensuring they receive the appropriate care they need. The success of this program highlights the importance of collaboration between public safety and mental health professionals, and it’s making a real difference in the lives of those we serve." 

The Santa Rosa Police Department would like to extend its sincere gratitude to Congressman Mike Thompson for recognizing the arduous work of our Detective and our Mental Health Support Team. His continued support not only strengthens the work we do but also reinforces the vital partnership between our community, mental health professionals, and law enforcement. We are proud to have such a dedicated advocate who believes in the importance of our mission to keep our community safe and healthy. 

Media inquiries can be made to Sgt. Patricia Seffens, Public Information Officer, at 707-543-3634 or pseffens@srcity.org.