Public safety officials ”“ especially the police officers on the front lines, dealing with the public ”“ are faced with a variety of challenges and situations for which they must be prepared. Training is always at the forefront of helping these officers remain professional and level-headed during the most stressful situations, from standoffs to domestic violence melees.
Alcohol and drug abuse are at the root of many crimes to which police are called, from physical violence to burglaries, but mental health issues are also a component for those involved in some police calls. According to Sanford Police Chief Thomas Connolly, as many as 30 percent of those with whom police interact, nationally, suffer from a psychiatric disorder.
Treating these individuals in the same manner as those who are under the influence of drugs or alcohol is not an appropriate approach, and it can cause more harm than good. That’s why we’re glad to see that Sanford Police have reached an important milestone: All 39 of the department’s officers have completed training in crisis intervention. This training not only helps police officers help those who are mentally ill, but also keeps the officers safer. This 40-hour training program, conducted by the National Alliance on Mental Illness, teaches officers how to de-escalate a crisis, recognize mental illness, prevent suicides and achieve positive interactions.
Most police departments have some officers who have received the training, but it’s difficult to have the entire department trained, due to the expense of overtime pay. Sanford P.D. has been at it since 2009. It’s an important investment, however, and we agree with Connolly that this type of training should be mandatory for all officers. He said it has improved officers’ attitudes toward the mentally ill, and that, in turn, means they are more likely to be kind and understanding when dealing with mental health crisis situations.
As well, by understanding where people are coming from, police have more leeway to help people get help. Connolly said the department once required that people meet a certain threshold for protective custody, but now, they are working more closely with families to gather evidence and connect them with counselors and hospital staff who can treat them appropriately.
It’s a step in the right direction, not only for police work, but for society as a whole.
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Today’s editorial was written by Managing Editor Kristen Schulze Muszynski on behalf of the Journal Tribune Editorial Board. Questions? Comments? Contact Kristen by calling 282-1535, ext. 322, or via email at kristenm@journaltribune.com.
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