We've been telling you this week about an elite team at the LAPD - its Mental Evaluation Unit, which tries to prevent violent confrontations between police and the mentally ill, and divert those with mental illness away from jail and into treatment.

Southern California Public Radio's Stephanie O'Neill continues her series by exploring whether the MEU is a viable model for the LA County Sheriff's Department.

If you'd like to check out the entire series, click through to Stephanie's post.

In the additional audio attached to this page, Stephanie and KPCC's Rina Palta joined A Martinez for a post-series chat to talk more about the MEU.