Contact: Erika Martinez
(505)986-4819
Erika.Martinez@nmlegis.gov
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 14, 2014
Has the Time Finally Come to Provide Officer Training for Mentally Ill?
Bill Originally Introduced 18 Years Ago
Santa Fe, NM – Amid the controversy surrounding the Albuquerque Police Department’s (APD) officer-involved shootings of mentally ill civilians, some have suggested that training programs for officers should be implemented to better prepare them to respond to mentally ill persons. However, this type of officer training program is not a new idea. In 1996, Senate Majority Leader Michael S. Sanchez (D-29-Bernalillo & Valencia), introduced legislation that could have help mitigate APD’s current situation and possibly saved lives if it had been enacted.
Senate Bill 63 (SB63) would have required the New Mexico Law Enforcement Academy to include a basic training component for officers who encounter “alleged offenders or persons in the community who may have a mental illness.” The training would have been designed to help officers recognize behaviors of those who may be suffering from mental illness, as well as provide methods for effective communication during confrontations. Additionally, the program would have offered alternative incarceration options for those who suffer from mental illness.
“It’s unfortunate that 18 years ago the bill didn’t move forward or spur the proper debate regarding this important issue. If it had, maybe New Mexico could have been at the forefront and set an example for the rest of the country regarding the positive impact effective officer training can have in our communities,” Sen. Sanchez said.
Sen. Sanchez plans to introduce a similar bill during the 2015 legislative session. “My hope is that with the recent events involving APD, there will finally be a commitment to provide better training and more resources. The training programs will not only protect those who suffer from mental illness but also law enforcement officers and the public,” added Sen. Sanchez.
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