GACP ’ s LEGISLATIVE PLATFORM
2021 Legislative Platform & Priorities
Behavioral / Mental Health Response
• Support legislation that expands the treatment of and response to mentally ill persons .
• Educate the Legislature on the growing issues associated with the mentally ill , and the increased burdens placed upon law enforcement to respond to these issues , which include : homelessness , substance abuse / dependency , and unpredictable and harmful behavior towards the public and law enforcement .
• Support legislation to allow law enforcement officers to involuntarily transport persons , without making an arrest , to a medical facility when they have probable cause to believe that individual is a threat to themselves or others .
• Support additional funding for law enforcement training in this area , to include courses such as “ mental health for first responders ” ( 8 hours ) and “ crisis intervention training ” ( 40 hours ).
Controlled Substances
• Inform the Legislature on growing national and local trends related to substance abuse and its correlation to increased homelessness , transiency , and erratic / violent behavior against law enforcement .
• Oppose legalization / recreational use of drugs .
• Support the expanded funding for substance abuse prevention programs as well as treatment programs .
Crimes & Criminal Reform
• Generally support the concept of emergency risk protection orders ( ERPOs , aka “ Red Flag ” orders ) regarding temporary seizure of firearms if a person has been deemed a threat to themselves or others .
• Support repeal of the current citizen ’ s arrest law ( OCGA § 17-4-60 ) as written , however citizen ’ s arrest ability should be restricted to homeowners , property owners or business owners ( and their employees / security personnel ).
36 WINTER . 2021