At an April 22 subcommittee hearing of the U.S. Senate Committee on the Judiciary, APA provided recommendations on improving police interactions with members of the community impacted by mental and behavioral health concerns (PDF, 136KB). APA’s recommendations pointed to the historical trauma impacting many communities of color and people with disabilities and the need for multifaceted, evidence-based reforms to our nation’s policing systems. APA urged Congress to invest in crisis intervention and mental health response teams and de-escalation trainings; pursue private/public partnerships between mental health organizations and local law enforcement; bolster research and strengthen data collection; and increase the number of mental and behavioral health and industrial/organizational professionals in law enforcement agencies.
For more information, contact Ben Vonachen.