Discussion Post: Use of Force Continuum
Learning Objective:
• Determine appropriate and proportionate response as the situation presents itself.
Objective of this Assignment:
Demonstrate how changes in reporting of police interactions with persons experiencing a mental health crisis have impacted discussion around police use of force.
Task:
For this problem, read the following statement:
"Police interactions with persons in a mental health crisis are increasingly featured in the media, particularly the tragic events that have resulted in death. Police have acknowledged the need for better training, and tools to address such situations; however, they further acknowledge they are the first and often only service provider contacted during a crisis. As such, when officers attend, they believe there is little they can do to address the situation without using force at times due to the volatility of the event.
With increasing calls to defund the police, advocates state that police should be de-tasked from attending such incidents, and other mental health professionals should attend."
For discussion:
1. Outline your thoughts about what and how federal, provincial, and municipal law enforcement policy is governed by media events?
2. Further, outline a solution that you will do to aid persons in a mental health crisis while acknowledging there may be times when police may be the only agency that is suited to assist.