The kind of local policy shifts we all have power to demand & refuse to shut up about. So many Sonya’s should be alive. “There have been no known major injuries of any community responder on the job so far, according to experts. And data suggests unarmed responders rarely need to call in police.”
There are more than 100 response teams nationwide, but experts say more research on their impact is needed.
In the 80s, as a social worker, I went into situations alone with a police back up outside. I went into situations in my 20s I would never consider now, but I relied on those cops. Never had a bad incident to clients.
The other thing cops don't love about these programs is that they are also far more cost effective for the money spent. Was interesting to see the different approaches to 911 dispatch. it's both an issue with dispatch and cops sometimes override dispatch, it's happened several times in Denver.
I love how we constantly have to have studies to tell us that giving violent lunkheads the OK to shoot people and then sending them into delicate situations is bad and maybe helpers should help instead. Let’s get two decades more of studies before we really do anything.
Unarmed responders seems to be a necessity. Bravo.
Sad. That one has to be one of the worst I guess. The hiring of Police REALLY NEEDS TO BE MONITORED. Very Seriously need Police who can be trained to stay calm; de-escalate, & use proper methods of solving issues. They do need to be paid enough for where they live. Like Teachers, & Firefighters too.
Like the British police. They don’t have guns.
I’ll be starting my new job as one tomorrow
As a former social worker/MHMR emergency evaluator/advocate I actually experienced this side of hell. Was almost placed on a psych hold instead of getting emergency med care bc of no crisis team/cops refused to listen & I had stitches/sores down my throat & couldn't speak clearly Almost died
Won’t somebody please think of the police budgets and salaries!
Wowie its almost like the half or so of people cops do a violence against due to mental health and/or neurodiversity (in addition to other bigotries like racism and queerphobia) could be actually helped if we stopped sending violent armed bullies to them during a crisis...