Police Being Trained to Handle Mentally Ill Confrontations

By William K. Harter

This June, 13 police officers completed a 3-day training program designed to teach them how to teach and train their fellow colleagues in dealing with people with mental issues.  The goal is to have them return to their departments and set up training programs to defuse and help the person, rather than to use force and arrest.

Officers are taught how to recognize that the person is mentally ill and to use non-threatening mannerisms, rather than arrest and control techniques.  Try to present a calm situation, not a chaotic one.  Avoid sirens, lights and threats.  Speak softly; reassuring them they will not be hurt.

The person most likely is frightened.  One must listen to them speak and reassure them, using eye contact and show a friendly approach, one on one, not a group of officers. “It’s an area where we need much more work”, states J. LaFazia, District Court Chief.

Richard Crino designed the program after seeing officers unsure of what to do when handling mentally ill people.  The program is in the second year.  Three deaths of emotionally disturbed men in 2008 helped move this program forward.  Thirty-five officers from various departments have been trained, 25 certified to train others.  A $30,000 grant from the Department of Mental Health and Retardation was used to develop, set standards and certify trainers.

“It’s another tool that will help the police to do their job better,” says Lt. Robin Winslow, Coventry police.

Since many of our homeless people have mental and emotional issues, this may prevent their arrest and losing their possessions they have stashed away or at shelters.  Also it could save them from starting over again after release.