In the early 1990's, there were several officer involved shootings and critical incidents involving persons living with mental illness. At that time, there was a gap in collaboration between law enforcement and mental health providers. The community at large, mental health consumers, family members, San Diego County HHSA, and law enforcement agencies convened to recommend that officers/deputies receive additional training in recognizing and responding to persons experiencing behavioral health issues and acquire clinical support from behavioral health professionals. Hence, PERT is the result of community partners collaborating to provide optimal service for persons (and their family members and supports) living with mental illness, including the provision of training to public safety personnel throughout San Diego County.