It is no secret that the current state of police policy and procedures when dealing with mentally ill individuals is in dire need of reform. Too often, we have seen tragic outcomes that could have been prevented with proper training and protocols in place.

As someone who knows 1st hand on dating someone with a severe mental illness, I can attest to its challenges and since my encounter I have been introduced to a whole new world of justice law that many do not know exist.

August 31st changed my life but it was the days prior to the incident that changed me forever and lead me on this journey of police policy and procedure reform, since that day I vowed to be an advocate of change for the many voices that are not here today because of senseless violence in the hands of mental illness.

I am passionate about creating change in the processes that the police officers follow when encountered with a mental illness crisis and in doing so I have enlisted some examples that could serve as a dividing factor of change within the domestic violence and mental health crisis.

As of now the many offenders that are held as mentally incompetent have been repeat offenders with no consequences for actions taken on or off medications.

Once they are deemed as Incompetent by law they are not to be charged for the crime they incompetently committed and are released to the public without warning.

Once they are cleared of charges they are then released with a discharged record allowing the crime to be hidden from the public with no indication of crimes committed due to discharge(incompetent to stand trial) and are able to proceed with life as if no crime was ever committed.

I am advocating for a safer and more just society and I am committed to advocating for these changes.

Suggestions on police policy and procedure Reform include:

• Partner with programs as in Mental and Behavioral Health Registry to make available to the public

• Information on people who had their charges dropped due to the defendant being mentally incompetent to stand trial should be accessible to/by the public. (As felons or predators are) This information should be input and updated before fully discharging any individual from custody and/or care.
• Red Flag system to indicate when a person and known mental diagnoses has been called on more than 2 times in a 24 hour period.
• The Mobile Crisis center should be on standby for individuals that call in with concerns and should be placed on a check list to follow up after the initial call was placed.
• Dispatch 2-way referral system- Mobile Crisis Center contact information given to contact while on call and also direct referral to the MCC with allegations of mental health crisis or person of interests- The real time mental state of person during the call and if prescribed medication and/or self medicating is a factor of care to indicate the need of a immediate assistance with a MCC counselor and police officer.
• Licensed professional and Police Assisted location check in on red flag check list to indicate if they need to be assisted to hospital under mandatory measures and if not ensure patient is scheduled with state appointed provider for mandatory follow up appointment
• Mentally ill patients should be placed on a mandatory check in for the state to track medication being taken and repercussions for habitual offenders that refuse to stay on medication as required by physician and if not the offender should be held accountable of such acts.

Transparency and accountability when incidents involving mentally ill individuals occur. This includes proper reporting and investigation procedures to ensure that justice is served and that measures are put in place to prevent similar incidents from happening in the future.

Another issue at hand is the ability for officers to use "Discretion"  when deciding if someone is having a mental health emergency. This creates a situation that allows police officers discretion in the way they think about what they see and how they handle those with whom they come in contact. Allowing a police officer to make an uninformed medical decision on an individuals mental state to indicate a mental health emergency is a form of Unauthorized practice of medicine. Using discretion to indicate if they are in fact having a manic episode or are competent or incompetent at that time while on duty/call without a Medically licensed professional is subject to personal opinion. Discretion is the ability to judge between right and wrong, 

Not to decide if someone is having a mental health emergency.

Concluding a persons mental state by personal opinion and/or discretion is NOT FACTUAL (which the law states that opinions are not permissible.)

That is why Police policy and procedure reform for Mental Health crisis is so very important. The training that police officers receive in regards to interacting with individuals who may be struggling with a mental health crisis is so crucial and having the assistance, protocols and plan in place can help both officers and civilians break the mental illness stigma in our Mental Health Crisis today.This training should go beyond just recognizing the signs of mental illness, but should also include de-escalation techniques, strategies for handling potentially volatile situations and access to the resources officers need to ensure the public is treated fairly as entitled by law. 
I believe that with the right mindset and approach, we can work towards a better future for all members of our community. By prioritizing the safety and well-being of all individuals, including those with mental illnesses , we can create a more just and equitable society.

https://www.newschannel5.com/news/newschannel-5-investigates/murfreesboro-woman-says-police-failed-to-help-after-ex-boyfriend-threatened-her-life

Progress is a Process Website

 

https://www.newschannel5.com/news/standoff-with-gunman-leaves-murfreesboro-neighborhood-shutdown-for-hours

https://www.wkrn.com/news/local-news/murfreesboro/police-activity-preventing-some-rutherford-county-schools-from-dropping-off-students/