Use of Force is Wrong Response to Mental Health
“State and local governments should end the use of police to respond to incidents involving people experiencing mental health crises and instead implement non-coercive, supportive interventions. This can include response teams designed to connect, build rapport, and de-escalate stressful situations. Investment in communities, including accessible, affordable mental health services and support to address social issues […]
Police Targeting and Killing Minority Groups in Israel
Iyad al-Hallaq was a 31-year-old Palestinian with autism when he was fatally shot by Israel police. Hallaq was unarmed and his peers called him harmless. The shooting was so disturbing that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called it a tragedy and Defense Minister Benny Gantz issued an apology. Despite this, no charges has been set against the […]
Police officers throwing disabled man out of his wheelchair
There was protest outside the Cape Town police station. During the protest, Cape Town metro police were caught on video tossing a disabled man out of his wheelchair after a verbal altercation with him. An officer proceeded to kick the disabled man while he was on the ground. Afterwards the officers destroyed the wheelchair. No […]
Crip Justice appearing at Virtual Abilities Expo this weekend
Crip Justice has a booth at the Virtual Abilities Expo this weekend. We will also be doing a demo at 1pm pt on Sunday on how to protect yourself and loved ones from police violence during a mental health crisis. Registration for the expo is free and here.
Police inability to interact with people with psychiatric problems
There has been a steady increase in the number of individuals with psychiatric disabilities. In 2019, the number of calls related to mental health was double the number in 2011. In addition, 75% of police officers have been in situations that got out of hand that involved mental health episodes. Over half of those officers […]
Kenyan Man suffering mental health crisis assaulted by police
(United Kingdom) Wycliff Cox is a well known mental patient in Essex, UK. Cox was wanted for failing to appear in court. When police arrived “they are alleged to have kicked and pinned Cox to the ground.” One officer was shown on video with his knee on his head while his hand was wrapped around […]
Police violence affecting mental health of civilians
According to the American Journal of Public Health, law enforcement encounters lead to increased stress among civilians. “The constant media coverage and real-time dissemination of footage on social media of unarmed African Americans harmed or killed by the police has left many Americans struggling to make sense of the violence, the researchers say.” These police […]
Police killed teenager that called them for help
Quinn MacDougall, 19, called Hamilton police over a threat he received on Snapchat. When police arrived Quinn was with his step-father, Baldwin. While Quinn was talking to the officers, Baldwin left to walk the dogs. After a few minutes, Baldwin heard gunshots coming from the house. When he returned, Quinn was already dead with four […]
Police Handcuffed 10-year old with Autism and Fractured his Arm
(Worcester, MA) JT. is a 10-year old with autism, and was getting upset after he stopped taking his medication. JT’s mom, Beshai Torres, called 911 to ask for medical assistance. While an ambulance was on there way, two police officers arrived first. After Beshai told the officers her son was autistic, the officers approached JT […]
Utah Police Shot 13-year old with Autism
(Salt Lake City, UT) Linden Cameron was 13-years old diagnosed with autism. Linden was having a mental health episode, so his mother called the police. She told police that Linden was “unarmed” and suffering “anxiety”. Two police officers arrived at the scene and within 5 minutes, Linden was shot multiple times. The police said 13-year […]