Deputy Division Director for Law Enforcement, Behavioral Health Division
CSG Justice Center
Universal City, Texas
Ernest (Ernie) Stevens is a published author with a #1 best selling book on Amazon titled: Mental Health and De-escalation: A Guide for Law Enforcement Professionals. Ernie was also a contributing author for, Police Mental Health Barricade.
Ernie was a police officer for 28 years, serving 26 of those years with the San
Antonio Police Department where he was a founding member of the Mental Health
Unit. Ernie has been featured on the Emmy Award Winning HBO Documentary, Ernie
and Joe: Crisis Cops. He has also been featured in NBC’s documentary, A Different Kind
of Force. Ernie was interviewed by ABC’s Nightline’s Byron Pitts, and featured on officers trained to respond to mental illness calls. Ernie has been featured in over 44
publications and deemed an expert in Crisis Intervention Training.
Ernie is a graduate of Wayland Baptist University and holds a B.S. degree in Criminal Justice. Ernie was one of the founding members of the San Antonio Police Department’s Mental Health Unit. Ernie continues to assist law enforcement agencies aound the nation by providing technical assistance and best practice approaches to mental health crisis calls. Ernie currently serves as the deputy director of law enforcement for the Council of State Governments Justice Center where he works closely with the Dept of Justice to assist agencies across the nation develop and strengthen their crisis response models.
E2 - 988: A Shared Opportunity for Diversion, Right Response and Saving Lives
Monday, May 5, 2025
4:30 PM – 5:30 PM ET