Once again, Georgia police chiefs are a leader in addressing critical problems faced by our nation’s
law enforcement officers. The magnitude of mental illness in America has been well-documented.
Studies show that approximately 18% of adults experience a mental illness every year and four
percent of the population has experienced a severe mental illness within the past year. It is
important to note mental health issues affect persons of all demographics. Unfortunately, our
nation’s detention facilities and prisons have been the number one provider of mental health
services in the United States. Because of the magnitude of the issue, law enforcement officers often
encounter persons who are affected by mental illness for a variety of reasons. While most persons
experiencing mental health issues are not violent, the danger is real. According to the Georgia
Bureau of Investigation, 24.9% of officer-involved shootings in the last two years, were with persons
experiencing mental health issues.
During his presidency of the International Association of Chiefs of Police, LaGrange Police Chief
Louis M. Dekmar, led the development of the One Mind Campaign to ensure ‘successful
interactions between police offices and persons affected by mental illness’. To participate, agencies
pledge to complete the following requirements within a 12 to 36-month period:
Establish a clearly defined and sustainable partnership with one or more community mental
health organization(s)
Develop and implement a model policy addressing police response to persons affected by
mental illness
Train and certify 100 percent of your agency’s sworn officers (and selected non-sworn staff,
such as dispatchers) in Mental Health First Aid or other equivalent mental health awareness
program
Provide Crisis Intervention Team training to a minimum of 20 percent of your agency’s sworn
officers (and selected non-sworn staff, such as dispatchers)
www.gachiefs.com • Page 8 • 1st Quarter Newsletter