LPNs as Crime ‘Fighters’
When completing their LPN training…
Hibaq Ahmed and Kris Donaldson never expected to use their skills for crime ‘fighting’. But reducing crime is a goal of their Edmonton Police Service, Diversion & Desistance (D & D) Team.
Their ‘mission’ begins with an internal alert that a high-profile offender is going to be released. EPS detectives connect with health care navigators and social navigators from agencies like GSS, Bent Arrow and Mustard Seed to integrate clients with community services to, ideally, keep the individual from re-offending. Hibaq and Kris focus on health-related services like advocating for medical appointments, connecting clients with providers, and medication literacy.
If possible, their support begins while the person is still in custody. Innovation is helping to close service gaps and build a relationship that continues after release. For example, virtual appointments can link Edmonton Remand Center inmates to resources like the Alberta Indigenous Wellness Clinic and community psychologists, and to physicians who can complete addiction treatment center applications.
Kris describes their work as… “cool, very interesting and challenging – sometimes frustrating.” Some examples:
After finally getting a person accepted into a treatment program in Calgary and driving him there, the client left after just three days.
On the other hand, a high harm offender is now employed, stably housed, and hasn’t re-offended after being connected with multiple resources including x-rays and a physio to resolve an old injury, and the Sleep Clinic and a psychiatrist to help with sleep issues. When Kris saw him last, the person was proud of just having put in a 60-hour work week.
This is a learning experience. At first, Hibaq carefully reviewed the criminal history of a client. But, over time, the team saw that undiagnosed mental health and substance use disorders, and trauma were regular patterns that could underlie antisocial behavior. Now, knowing they’ll meet in secure settings, Hibaq doesn’t go over criminal backgrounds: “I just go in and see the person and not their offences.”
Hibaq says she “never in her life” expected to be in a role like this while Kris thought he’d be on a surgery unit in a hospital. Other LPN colleagues say they could never do this work, but Kris and Hibaq knew as soon as they started in addictions that this is where people needed support. They know that, in addition to helping people access potentially life-changing health care, their collaboration with police and social services also creates safer communities for everyone.