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 […]
Alternatives to Police Response for Psychiatric Disabilities
(San Mateo, CA) Police responded to a 9-1-1 call about a person walking through traffic. When police arrived, they found Chinedu Okobi who was an unarmed 36-year old Black man with a psychiatric disability. Shortly after police confronted Chinedu, he was forced to the ground by 5 officers and tased a total of 7 times. […]
Virginia Autism Project Supporting Bill for Reduced Penalty for Assaulting Police
(Richmond, VA) You will be charged with a 6-month mandatory minimum sentence in addition to a felony if you assault a police officer. Advocates for people with psychiatrics disabilities argue that assault can be easily misinterpreted. For example, James is a 27-year old with with autism. Due to his autism, he spits subconsciously which can […]
Police Cover-up for Beating Man with Psychiatric Disability to Death
Blanca Briceno called police to help with her son who was experiencing an episode from schizophrenia. When police arrived Eric Briceno, her son, was sleeping. Despite being asleep, the police began beating Eric. Eric died from this attack. An autopsy report confirmed that Eric was punched, pepper-sprayed and shot with a taser seven or eight […]
The Terror of Policing for People with Disabilities
People with disabilities make up 22% of deaths caused by police. In the past five years, 1,254 Americans with psychiatric disabilities have died from “police intervention”. Police are simply not equipped to deal with crisis intervention. Golda Barton called the emergency room requesting a crisis intervention team for her 13-year old son with autism. Her […]
4 Shreveport police officers indicted in connection with Tommie McGlothen’s murder
Four officers have been charged in the death of Tommie McGlothen Jr. who was killed on April 5, 2020 in Shreveport, LA. “In reviewing the case, Caddo Parish Coroner Dr. Todd Thoma determined McGlothen’s death was preventable in that the responding officers should have known McGlothen needed medical treatment. The officers had, in fact, been […]
Criminal Probe into Victorian Police Officer Who Stomped a Man with Psychiatric Disabilities in the Head
(Epping, Australia) “A Victorian police officer filmed appearing to stomp on a mentally ill man’s head during an arrest is under criminal investigation by the state’s corruption watchdog. The senior constable was suspended with pay after footage shared on social media showed him appearing to kick Timothy Atkins’ head while the man was on the […]
Ricardo Munoz killed by police after sister calls local crisis intervention group and a non-emergency police number to get mental health assistance
(Lancaster, PA) The sister of Ricardo Munoz, shot dead by a cop said Monday “that he was bipolar, schizophrenic and off his medications — and that she was just trying to get mental-health aid when she called authorities. More of the story here. Community members are protesting Munoz’s murder. More on that story here.