Auburn Hills Chief of Police Ryan Gagnon: Bridging law enforcement and mental health

Ryan Gagnon, the chief of police in Auburn Hills, Mich., has built a career defined by dedication, innovation, and an unyielding commitment to community well-being.

A graduate of Oakland University's Master of Public Administration (MPA) program, Gagnon is now leading the charge in transforming how law enforcement handles mental health crises. His groundbreaking work on co-response teams, which started as his graduate research project has not only shaped his career but has also created a ripple effect across Oakland County.

Gagnon's journey to becoming Auburn Hills' chief of police reflects a career built on dedication and strategic growth. Now residing in Holly, Mich., Gagnon balances the demands of leading a police department with a forward-thinking approach to law enforcement.

His decision to pursue a graduate degree was a practical one: as he rose through the ranks, earning a master's degree became a critical step for advancing to leadership roles.

"Oakland University was convenient, and I knew others who had earned their graduate degrees there," Gagnon said. He wanted a versatile program that would open doors beyond policing, ultimately selecting the Master of Public Administration program.

Gagnon credits OU with equipping him with vital skills in project management, budgeting and professional development. These skills have not only advanced his career but have also broadened his perspective, helping him become a more well-rounded leader.

In 2020, amid the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic and heightened scrutiny of law enforcement following George Floyd's death, Gagnon chose to focus his master's research project on law enforcement's role in the mental health crises. His advisor was Associate Professor and MPA Director Dr. Douglas Carr.

At the time, law enforcement agencies across the country were grappling with an increase in mental health-related calls, particularly domestic violence incidents. Gagnon's research examined call data from Auburn Hills, Bloomfield Township and Birmingham only to find that no baseline existed for tracking the basis for the calls locally. Nationally, 10% of calls to law enforcement involved mental health issues.

Recognizing the need for change, Gagnon developed a plan to integrate mental health professionals into law enforcement responses. His proposal: contract a full-time social worker through the Oakland Community Health Network to co-respond with officers.

Gagnon secured a $75,000 grant to hire a social worker who would serve Auburn Hills, Bloomfield Township and Birmingham. This professional would monitor calls via police scanners and join officers on scenes requiring mental health expertise.

In 2022, with the help of Congresswoman Haley Stevens, the program expanded. A $260,000 federal grant from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) allowed the team to add a second social worker and extend services to Rochester.

The impact has been profound. Today, Oakland County boasts 11 participating communities, eight social workers, and one supervisor. Soon, the program will expand to 15 law enforcement agencies - over a third of the county's total. New participants receive their first year of services free of charge, a strategic move to encourage adoption.

The program's results speak volumes. In three years, more than 4,500 people have received critical support. Gagnon's team has undergone advanced training in crisis intervention and mental health first aid, enabling them to de-escalate countless situations and improve outcomes for both individuals in crisis and the officers responding to them.

For Gagnon, the benefits of the program extend beyond its immediate impact on the public. The co-response model is also improving the well-being of officers.

"Our staff now has access to support for their personal lives and the challenges they face on the job," Gagnon said. The monthly feedback meetings he facilitates with participating agencies ensure that the program continues to evolve and meet the needs of both the community and law enforcement.

Reflecting on his time at Oakland University, Gagnon is quick to highlight its role in his journey.

"OU helped me with the day-to-day responsibilities of the job," he said. "It gave professional purpose to what I was doing and opened my eyes to more than just law enforcement."

Gagnon's career is a testament to the power of education, vision, and collaboration. As his innovative mental health co-response program continues to grow, it's clear that his leadership is not only making Auburn Hills safer but also setting a standard for communities nationwide.

For more information about Oakland University's graduate programs, including Master's in Public Administration, please visit oakland.edu/grad/graduate-programs.

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