By Ashley Quadros, Public Information Officer
Deputy Sheriff Conrad Ball has worked for the Nevada County Sheriff’s Office since 2020 after lateralling from the Grass Valley Police Department. For the last two and a half years, he has been a valued member of the Sheriff’s Mobile Crisis Team aka MCT, which pairs a mental health clinician with a deputy sheriff on mental-health related calls for service (this is known as a co-responder model).
“As a member of the Mobile Crisis Team, it quickly became apparent how important the co-responder model of MCT was,” explained Deputy Ball. “There were countless times where my partner, Stacy [Green], and I were able to collaboratively gain peaceful resolutions in high stress situations. It is my hope that this program continues to grow and benefit the residents of Nevada County.”
The Sheriff’s Mobile Crisis Team has been in effect since 2020. When it was first launched, the program was comprised of just one deputy sheriff and one clinician that together responded to mental-health related calls for service. Fulfilling his hopes to grow the program, Deputy Ball and Associate Clinical Social Worker Stacy Green became the Sheriff’s second Mobile Crisis Team duo in 2022, doubling the program’s size and capabilities. Since that time, he and his partner have responded to several calls and have had their share of life-saving encounters.
“One of the most memorable situations where it was apparent a life was saved was when a family member of an individual called 9-1-1 reporting their loved one was currently driving to a location to end their life via firearm,” recalled Deputy Ball. “Upon MCT’s arrival, the individual initially claimed they had no intent of harming themselves. Crisis Worker Green was able to speak with that individual while I called their family to get further information. It was learned the individual had sent multiple family members notes giving them their final farewells which stated their intent to end their life. I am certain that the outcome of this incident would not have been positive if the family had not reached out and law enforcement, who were able to immediately respond to the location. The co-responder model of MCT allows individuals in crisis the opportunity to choose who they want to speak with; be it a law enforcement officer or a mental health worker. The co-responder model also allows MCT to respond expeditiously in the event that a crisis is time sensitive.”
To further enhance his effectiveness in the field, Deputy Ball acquired several certifications as they pertain to mental health, including Intermediate Crisis Intervention, Response to Non-Criminal Barricade, and Crisis Management/Resolution. He is also certified by the FBI in Crisis Negotiation. Collectively, these certifications make up 136 extra hours of specialized training, on top of his preexisting training requirements as a sheriff’s deputy.
Deputy Ball’s skills and contributions to the Mobile Crisis Team have not gone unnoticed by the Sheriff’s Office. In fact, in recognition of his work, he was hand-selected to become the newest detective in the Sheriff’s Major Crimes Unit. The Major Crimes Unit handles the most serious cases at the Sheriff’s Office, including homicides, robberies, major assaults, and child abuse.
“We are grateful for the impactful work Conrad accomplished on the Mobile Crisis Team and look forward to seeing how he will further benefit the community and help victims of crimes as a sheriff’s detective,” explained Lt. Jason Perry, who oversees the Major Crimes Unit.
The community is invited to join the Sheriff’s Office in thanking Deputy Ball for his contributions to the Mobile Crisis Team and its growth, and to congratulate him on the next chapter of his career as Detective Ball.
Congrats, Detective Ball!
