Police-Encounters-With-People-In-Crisis

(c)
(d)
(e)
(f)
(g)
(h)
further emphasize lethal force as a last resort to be used in crisis
situations only where alternative approaches are ineffective or
unavailable;
articulate the importance of preserving the lives of subjects as well
as officers wherever possible;
recognize indicators of mental health crises as symptoms rather
than threats to officer safety;
acknowledge that many mental health calls result from crisis
symptoms rather than criminal behavior;
emphasize that police responding to people in crisis are usually
required to play a helping role, not an enforcement role; and
articulate that communication with a person in crisis should be a
default technique in all stages of assessing and controlling the
situation and planning a response.
Updating the Use of Force Procedure
RECOMMENDATION 42: The TPS regularly update its Use of Force
Procedure to reflect best practices and the results of further research into the
most effective means of communicating with people in crisis. In this regard, the
TPS should seek alternative approaches for officers when a person in crisis does
not appear to comprehend or have the ability to comply with the Police
Challenge; and consider consulting with provincial agencies, the Ontario Police
College, mental health experts, consumer survivors, and others with specialized
experience to ensure that the Use of Force Procedure reflects best practices.
Police Encounters With People in Crisis |214