The Law Enforcement and Other Matters Act contains provisions to expand the police’s power to apprehend someone undergoing a mental health crisis. These provisions stated that if a police officer reasonably believes that a person may be a danger to themselves or others, then that is sufficient basis for the officer to believe that the person is “mentally disordered”.
Under this premise, when does an arrest become necessary? How do we then find a balance between upholding public safety and respect of the person in crisis?
Hear from Assistant Professor Rayner Tan and other co-authors as they gave their expert opinion on this complex issue, advocating for more careful and empathetic consideration of the mental health complexities.