There is an inquiry in Toronto regarding the shooting death of a man who was walking outside, in the cold, wearing a blue short sleeve hospital gown. He was about four blocks away from the local hospital. The police were called. Five or six officers tried to grapple him to the ground from behind him.
Another officer, a few feet in front of him, fired three shots into this man's chest.
This man is dead.
In Episode Three I asked Officer Pettapiece about special training for officers to assist them in dealing with those who show signs of mental illness. He told me that most of the training is on the job. You learn from others and then acquire experience.
This is not good enough. Too many people have been harmed because first responders do not understand the lack of connection to reality that those in serious mental crisis experience.
You cannot calm someone in the middle of a mental health crisis by grabbing him from behind. Nor can you calm someone down with a gun.
I look forward to the SIU investigation.
