I have spoken frequently about the criminalization of mental illness. That is because it is common for mentally ill people and the families that love them to reach out for help....and confront handcuffs. Or even worse...a cop with their gun drawn. Before you protest, I will say this: I understand the need for safety. But I will also say that educating the police in tactics to defuse can decrease the number of potentially violent incidents. In addition, when police have a basic understanding about mental illness, they may handle people living with mental illness more productively. Here is the article that produced my thoughts: http://bit.ly/1pnVJ5i.
The nature of police work is adversarial. Clearly, there are reasons for that. But let's explore the impact. Would you call for police assistance if you were aware that the officers would come to your house with guns or tasers drawn or handcuffs ready? If you knew you were risking the life of a mentally ill loved one? What about a suicidal individual? How safe and cared for do handcuffs make them feel? I have seen officers arrive at hospitals with individuals in tow that are handcuffed. The individuals usually seemed to feel shamed by this. Not defiant. But cowed. And I think that the way you arrive at the hospital impacts the trust that the mentally ill place in the whole system. Kindness, respect, and compassion go a long way with people. Even animals respond to kindness. Are you going to have a healthy and safe dog if they are fed a steady diet of kicking when they are bad? Why should it be any different with human beings?
I know that sometimes handcuffs and weapons are unavoidable. But there are times that handcuffs and weapons are simply dangerous. And truly not productive. I commend any police department that recognizes the need for training their officers. Because this is important. The lives of human beings are at stake. What do you think?
The nature of police work is adversarial. Clearly, there are reasons for that. But let's explore the impact. Would you call for police assistance if you were aware that the officers would come to your house with guns or tasers drawn or handcuffs ready? If you knew you were risking the life of a mentally ill loved one? What about a suicidal individual? How safe and cared for do handcuffs make them feel? I have seen officers arrive at hospitals with individuals in tow that are handcuffed. The individuals usually seemed to feel shamed by this. Not defiant. But cowed. And I think that the way you arrive at the hospital impacts the trust that the mentally ill place in the whole system. Kindness, respect, and compassion go a long way with people. Even animals respond to kindness. Are you going to have a healthy and safe dog if they are fed a steady diet of kicking when they are bad? Why should it be any different with human beings?
I know that sometimes handcuffs and weapons are unavoidable. But there are times that handcuffs and weapons are simply dangerous. And truly not productive. I commend any police department that recognizes the need for training their officers. Because this is important. The lives of human beings are at stake. What do you think?
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