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Brown Proposes Funding for Police Mental Health Crisis Training

Senator Sherrod Brown has introduced legislation creating funding to train police officers to handle mental health crises.
TONY WEBSTER
/
FLICKR
Senator Sherrod Brown has introduced legislation creating funding to train police officers to handle mental health crises.

Senator Sherrod Brown has introduced legislation to help police officers be better prepared to deal with individuals experiencing mental health issues. The bill would provide $15 million over a three-year period for police departments to improve their training. Newtown Police Chief Tom Synan said  officers really need the additional training.

“We’re at a crossroads, we’re straddling this line. Are we law enforcement or are we first responders? We’re being asked to do more in this immediate response with complex, highly-charged in this emotional crisis such as addiction and mental health.”                

The goal of the bill is to give officers the tools they need to deescalate situations like these, reducing the risk of anyone getting hurt.

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David Williams is an intern at WKSU for summer 2019. A junior at Kent State, Williams is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in multimedia journalism. Williams has reported for The Kent Stater, the university’s student-run newspaper, since spring 2018. His interests include history and politics.
Nathan joined WKSU as an intern in May 2019. Nathan is a broadcast journalism student at Kent State. He’s previously been a correspondent for TV2 as well as a crew member of Teleproductions. His interests include entertainment and culture.