NY BLEA Rep: AG James Must Act on Police Shootings of the Mentally Ill

Prevalence of Mental Health Disorders and Police-Involved
Tragedies Demanding Immediate Policy Change

 

By Damon K. Jones

Recent research published by the American Psychological Association has unveiled alarming trends in mental health disorders and their connection to police encounters. The shocking increase in mood disorders and suicide-related incidents demands urgent action from the Mental Health community. It raises a pressing question: why is the disproportionately high number of mentally ill Black individuals in New York continuously subjected to shootings, being shot at, or killed by responding officers without significant concern?

The gravity of the issue becomes evident when considering that approximately one in five Americans, totaling 51.5 million adults, experienced some form of mental illness in 2019, according to the National Institute of Mental Health. Mental illnesses encompass a wide range of diseases, varying in severity. They are classified into two primary categories: Any Mental Illness (AMI) and Severe Mental Illness (SMI).

AMI refers to mental, behavioral, or emotional problems ranging from minimal impairment to significant functional limitations. On the other hand, SMI encompasses mental, behavioral, or emotional issues that cause severe functional impairment, significantly affecting a person’s quality of life.

Disturbingly, multiple studies have found that adults in the Black community face a 20% higher risk of experiencing significant mental health issues such as Major Depressive Disorder or Generalized Anxiety Disorder.

A nationwide survey in 2015 revealed that African American children aged 5 to 11 exhibited a higher suicide rate than their Caucasian counterparts. This marked the first time a survey showed that the suicide rate among African Americans in any age group surpassed that of Caucasians.

Contrary to most studies, a recent investigation revealed that Caribbean Black men in the United States displayed the highest suicide attempt rate among African American community members. This highlights a gender difference, as Black men are more prone to suicide deaths while Black women are more likely to attempt suicide.

New York City has witnessed a nearly twofold increase in emergency distress calls between 2009 and 2018, as reported by Jumaane Williams, the city’s Public Advocate. These distress calls disproportionately originate from Black and Latinx neighborhoods.

The police should not be the first responders to individuals experiencing mental health crises. Numerous accounts have emerged of mentally ill Black individuals in New York having their families call the police for help, only for the responding officers to resort to deadly force, shooting, or killing the person in crisis.

Due to inadequate training, law enforcement officers are ill-equipped to handle mental health crises. However, it is essential to acknowledge that it was never their responsibility in the first place. The failure lies with politicians, police management, and lawmakers in New York who have neglected the urgent need for comprehensive strategies within local police departments to address individuals in mental crisis. As a direct consequence, officers have been given extra tasks for which they have not received enough training, resulting in terrible and pointless loss of life. When a catastrophe occurs, this is unjust to both the officers and the public since both families will be profoundly impacted for the rest of their lives.

The stories of Kenneth Chamberlain Sr., who was killed by White Plains Police in November 2011 while accidentally setting off his life alert and was known to the White Plains Police Department for having mental issues, the deaths of Sean Harris, an autistic man, and Jarrel Garris, a man known to the police for having mental problems and was shot by New Rochelle Police, showcase the urgency of the situation. These incidents raise vital questions about a broader failure, with elected officials, police management, and the New York State Attorney General’s Office failing to develop a comprehensive plan for police interactions with individuals in mental crisis. These questions demand immediate attention and action.

Every Police Department Must Have a Crisis Intervention Team

To rectify the grave situation, law enforcement officers must receive comprehensive training in mental health. Hastily stigmatizing mentally ill individuals and misinterpreting their intentions can lead to critical mistakes that may cost lives. Rather than training only a few officers in specialized roles, every police agency should have a cadre of highly trained officers available every shift to handle emergencies.

Suppose an officer without proper training arrives at a mental health crisis scene. In that case, everyone’s safety must step back and call upon officers who have received the necessary training. There is no room for police egos when responding to mental health crises.

The argument that a shortage of personnel or lack of funding justifies the lack of action regarding mental health training is no longer acceptable. Municipalities must prioritize appropriate policies, processes, and training upfront, or they will inevitably pay the price later with costly settlements.

Inspired by the Memphis Model, police agencies across the United States have adopted Crisis Intervention Teams (CIT) consisting of patrol officers with specialized training in crisis intervention. These officers are available on all shifts to promptly respond to mental health crisis scenes, de-escalate situations, and ensure individuals receive appropriate mental health care rather than being subjected to the criminal justice system.

The Memphis Model has proven successful in reducing violence, improving community relations, and has been implemented by law enforcement agencies in 45 states and 2,800 cities, including major cities like Los Angeles and Chicago.

In Westchester County, the Project Alliance initiative incorporates Mobile Response Teams, partnering with local police departments to provide 24-hour mobile behavioral health crisis support. This collaboration aims to effectively de-escalate situations involving individuals with behavioral health challenges, bringing forth a reinvented approach to policing.

This was part of the Reinventing and Reimagining Police Initiative of Westchester County. Port Chester was the first host site, and the other six teams include Greenburgh, Mount Kisco, New Rochelle, Ossining, Peekskill, and Yonkers Police. There must be an explanation to the family of why the New Rochelle Police Department didn’t utilize these services.

We cannot remain silent in continued neglect regarding this critical issue. Mental health advocates must raise their voices and demand immediate action and tangible reforms. It is essential to hold those in power accountable and ensure that the lives of our loved ones, neighbors, and friends are no longer subject to tragic and avoidable circumstances.

Damon K. Jones is the publisher of Black Westchester Magazine, a Black-owned and operated newspaper based in Westchester County. He is the New York State representative of Blacks in Law Enforcement of America (BLEA) and a law enforcement veteran with 32 years of experience.

 Source: Black Westchester Magazine