In the aftermath of a recent confrontation in North Hollywood, questions are being raised about police response to mental health crises. The involved parties were Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) officers and Jesse Batten, who was under the influence of alcohol and was later taken into custody for assaulting a police officer after a temporary hospitalization, as per LAPD news report.
According to the LAPD Newsroom's report, on Wednesday, October 4, officers received a suicide attempt call. When they arrived, they found Los Angeles City Fire Department (LAFD) staff attempting to manage Batten. Although it's not clearly stated if Batten posed a risk to others, an officer involved in trying to subdue him engaged in a use of force that is now under investigation by the Force Investigation Division.
Mental health awareness is on the rise, with many pushing for non-aggressive solutions when dealing with those in crisis. Such incidents, unfortunately, aren't rare across the country. Law enforcement officers frequently confront the challenge of dealing with individuals experiencing mental health crises. Specific training on de-escalation techniques and strategies for treating mental health with dignity has been called for by many, as reported earlier this month by NPR and others.
