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A critical situation in Toledo is causing
tremendous suffering and the loss of an increasing number of
lives.
Up to 50 percent of police encounters may
involve those with mental health disorders. In Toledo, these
often-confrontational interactions appear to be rising both
in frequency and tragic outcomes. The result has been a
rampant outbreak of high-profile fatalities.
Last week’s standoff between police and
Christopher Harris resulting in Harris’ and Toledo Police
Officer Brandon Stalker’s death is just the latest incident
in what has become a full-blown crisis.
Despite several recent grievous encounters,
there appears to be no concrete action plan other than a
“cross your fingers and hope for the best” strategy.
However, the inherent link between mental health and
homelessness, substance use disorders, race, poverty and
violence demand holistic solutions to the crisis.
We certainly need a radical transformation of
how we approach the matter of police engagement with the
mentally ill, from the tools available for law enforcement
to do their jobs to crossing boundaries to include the input
of those who have not been traditionally at the table to
discuss solutions.
What actions should take place so that there
are no more Christopher Harris or Brandon Stalker tragedies?
Diversity Matters:
The biggest complaint I hear circulating in
the community is: Why did the police show up to the Harris
residence with such an overwhelming display of force in
response to a property crime? Second to that was what
decisions went into the police decision to introduce tear
gas when it did and when they knew he was having a cognitive
breakdown, possessed guns and that no hostages were being
held?
Police Chief Kral says
that at a certain point, the incident has to end. Why were
six hours the magical number? There was certainly time to
wait longer than forcing him out since he was not going
anywhere and had no hostages.
These issues occur when the relationship
between the black community and law enforcement is at an
all-time low and homicides at a record high. Presently,
there is not an African American on the Toledo Police
Department above the rank of sergeant. Conversely, crime in
Toledo decreased every year from 2011 to 2013 when there was
a black chief, a Latino American deputy
chief, and a black assistant chief. There were African
Americans and people of color throughout the entire
department during that period. A more diverse police force
could bring more legitimacy to the department and with it,
possibly, better engagement outcomes in the future.
Inclusive Input Matters:
News accounts indicate that Harris’s mom was
present but wasn’t allowed to go inside to talk with her
barricaded and troubled son before the police decision to
use tear gas. Another tragedy is that black mothers attempt
to raise sons and daughters in today’s trauma-filled society
(many times by themselves), but their perspectives are
callously dismissed.
In addition, Christopher was known as a faith
community member where he used faith to get him through
periodic mental health episodes. However, there is no record
that anyone reached out to his pastor and if his religious
community had access to the mental health system.
The truth is that it is unpardonable to
devise strategies, develop policies or decide on solutions
to this tragic problem without heeding advice from black
mothers and other caregivers. Perhaps the greatest sin of
our day is the arrogance which believes that others know
black people better than black people know themselves.
Today’s social problems persist because the people that are
most closely affected by the issues are excluded from dialog
about solutions.
Legal Changes:
Those suffering from mental health issues
often refuse to take their meds regularly or seek treatment.
Legally, only the probate court can force a person to take
their meds, and they only do so when there is an emergency.
Even with evaluation, it may take from one to three months
to get an appointment for treatment. The mental health
system needs the legal tools to be more proactive in
providing involuntary hospitalizations and outpatient
services when there is a threat to public safety and
personal safety, even when it seems to override an
individual’s personal rights.
Legislative Change:
Need always exceeds resources. Not only does
the mental health system need radical legal change. It also
needs change in how funding is delivered. This requires
legislative change.
There was no record that Christopher Harris
was in the mental health system. Thus, mental health needs
to develop outreach for individuals who suffer from
disorders but fail to engage in treatment services. Due to a
lack of a funding mechanism, these outreach services do not
exist. Neither does the mental health system reimburse
agencies for the time spent identifying the gaps between
those who suffer illness and those who seek treatment. The
need for housing, prevention, and other mental services are
also at crisis levels, ruling out re-allocation of existing
budget categories. Addressing the gap between resources and
need requires new funding and proactive leadership from
local, state, and federal authorities.
Will we keep responding in the same old way
repeatedly and continue to get the same tragic results? Or
will we react in ways that mitigate the problem?
To ensure that we have no more Christopher
Harris or Brandon Stalker tragedies requires the community’s
families and religious leaders’ engagement. Viable solutions
demand that law enforcement, the mental health system, the
legislature, and the medical system, develop new ways of
thinking.
A delayed response risks turning an outbreak
of violence into a full-blown epidemic.
Contact Rev. Donald Perryman, D.Min, at
drdlperryman@centerofhopebaptist.org |
