3/31/2025

BAYFIELD - The Bayfield County Sheriff’s Office is partnering with a telemedicine company to provide mental health and crisis intervention services. The program is the first of its kind in the state of Wisconsin, with law enforcement using a program created by the Avel company. Law enforcement responding to a mental health crisis can put a tablet computer in the hands of the person they’re helping, giving them almost instant access to a mental health professional wherever they are, reducing the need to detain or transport someone, and allowing them communication with someone who can help them form an action plan on the spot. According to the company, 80% of the time, this leads to no hospitalization or incarceration. Deputies are already seeing positive results with the program. Bayfield has signed a three-year agreement with Avel, at a cost of $28,000 a year. The first year of the program has already been paid for with grant funding and those with the county say the program costs less per year than just one intervention call.