Torres appointed to mental illness board

Lyon County Sheriff’s Office Undersheriff Albert Torres was recently appointed to the National Alliance on Mental Illness Nevada Board of Directors.

Torres facilitated the first Mental Health First Aid Classes in Lyon County as well as in other areas outside of the Las Vegas, Reno, and Carson City. He has also been an advocate to educate law enforcement professionals to make them aware of military veterans affected by PTSD and brain trauma. He has attended courses and made training available to help better handle calls for service involving those affected by PTSD and brain trauma.

Additionally, Undersheriff Torres has spearheaded the Jail Diversion Program for the Lyon County Sheriff’s Office. This program allows those arrested for a non-violent, misdemeanor crime, with substance abuse and/or mental health issues, to be diverted to a mental health professional and receive the care and treatment needed instead of sitting in jail. The arrested person must still go through the court process and answer for their crimes but they can receive professional help and guidance during that time.

Other jurisdictions have shown a 20-30 percent reduction in the average daily inmate populations of their jails as well as a 25 percent reduction in repeat offenders. Implementation of this program will result in persons needing mental health assistance the opportunity to become a more productive member of society, lower inmate housing costs and medical care, Sheriff’s Office manpower, as well as make Lyon County a safer environment for deputies as well as its citizens.

Torres has been able to form a team comprised of the Lyon County Sheriff’s Office, Lyon County Human Services, the Lyon County District Attorney’s Office, Fernley Municipal Court, Fernley Justice Court, Dayton Justice Court, Walker River Justice Court, Lyon County Mental Health, State of Nevada Mental Health, Lyon County School District, Lyon County Juvenile Probation, the City of Fernley, the City of Yerington, Yerington P.D., and South Lyon Medical Center.