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Officers getting special training
One of the measures recommended in a new study conducted by The Council of State Governments Justice Center is already being implemented here.The study calls for more specialized training to help police in encounters with people who are mentally ill.
Warrenton Police Chief Connie Novak said training for her officers begins in the academy, but “more and more” classes are being offered through area mental health agencies.
“I have been talking to [the Department of] Mental Health, but have not seen a schedule set up yet," the chief said.
Paul Regan is the coordinator of Access Services for the Rappahannock-Rapidan Community Services Board/Area Agency on Aging. He said it is the agency's intention to work “more closely” with law enforcement.
“We did offer some training about civil commitment laws to the town police, the Fauquier County Sheriff's Office, magistrates and hospital employees in June and July,” Regan noted. “We don't have any grand, elaborate plans at this point, but we would like to offer more cross-training.”
According to the CSJ report, police officers assigned to each shift and geographic areas should receive “extensive skills and knowledge training that builds on the more cursory information routinely given on this topic at recruit and in-service trainings,” the report states.
Supervisory and support personnel such as mid-level managers, field training officers, call takers and dispatchers should also receive additional training, according to the report.
The training should “be specific to the community in which it is being given.” It should also give law enforcement personnel a better understanding of several issues, including signs and symptoms of mental illness; stabilization and de-escalation techniques; community resources and legal issues.
In addition to providing training, Regan said the Community Services Board is now coordinating joint responses with police to incidents involving people with mental illnesses. So far, it seems to be working well, he added.
“We [recently] collaborated with the [Warrenton police] on a joint response. We went out [to the scene] together, and we got the situation resolved relatively quickly,” Regan said.
E-mail the reporter: abogdanovic@timespapers.com
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