Bolstered mental health crisis training sought for law enforcement

A group of lawmakers recently introduced legislation to enhance training for law enforcement personnel interacting with persons with mental or behavioral health issues.

The Bipartisan Law Enforcement De-escalation Training Act was sponsored by U.S. Sens. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) and John Cornyn (R-TX) along with U.S. Sens. Bill Cassidy (R-LA), Maggie Hassan (D-NH), Tim Scott (R-SC), Chris Coons (D-DE), Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), and Amy Klobuchar (D-MN).

The measure would facilitate using alternatives to force and de-escalation tactics and working with mental health professionals on crisis intervention teams.

The initiative would also empower police and mental health professionals working with them to link individuals to mental and behavioral health services in their community.

“Too often, police respond when someone is suffering a mental health or behavioral health issue, yet lack the resources they need to do so effectively,” Whitehouse said. “We can save lives by equipping officers to recognize and respond appropriately to those situations, to work with mental health professionals and connect people to treatment.”

Hassan said law enforcement officers are asked to respond to a wide variety of calls and must have the training needed to manage any situation they face.

“When it comes to those with mental health challenges, it is particularly important that officers can recognize the signs and de-escalate the situation swiftly,” she said. “This bipartisan bill will help ensure that police have the tools and training to respond to a mental health crisis, and I will keep working to build support for it.”

Bill provisions include authorizing $70 million in annual grant funding for training, including scenario-based exercises and evaluative assessments.