Dear World,
I sent a personalized version of this to the Ada County Crisis Team, (Go make an X account, you should be seen in the public everywhere, its a good thing). Feel free to share this with your communities if you agree with it and would like to see them make changes. My copy to them was also riddled with typos, It looked good 19 thousand times, and then when I posted it here, I noticed them. I am sure this version has errors too, LOL.
Thank you,
Mikey
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Subject: Less symbols of Authority & More displays of Compassion
Dear Law Enforcement Agencies, Officers & Deputies,
These are just my thoughts and observations. These are all subtle psychologically conditioned symbols what our sub-conscious picks up on. I feel these changes would not take away from LEO Safety. They would only make those in crisis feel better and more secure and make the responding Deputies look better in multiple ways while in public.
1. The I have been treated by the Ada County Deputies was amazing. They conducted themselves at all times around me they way I asked them too, along with the level of respect and professionalism all officers should conduct themselves by. I tip my hat to them. I cannot praise them enough for trusting me and protecting me. I am in no way complaining about the lie conduct, performance or leadership. Everyone involved in my situation needs to be acknowledged for their professionalism and compassion.
2. Both Uniformed LEOs and firearms are signs of authority and have the potential escalate a situation.
3. The main actors of the Crisis Team should be in plain clothes or at the very most an law enforcement polo shirts.
4. The main actors should also not display firearms. Make them conceal carry. They will still feel secure too. If you want to learn more techniques in how to de-escalate and secure someone with physical force, I highly suggest contacting August Ritter, Chief Instructor at Krav Maga Experts in Boise. He has a LEO specific curriculum and has the expertise too.
5. If you use polo shirts you can still represent the good guys, or dress professional so there is more of a view that you are there to help rather than enforce.
6. Due your best to figure out who should be speaking. Anyone can be “in charge.” I mean who is interacting with those in crisis, a male or female. You don’t know who could be a trigger, so if you don’t know, make sure your officers pay attention to who those in crisis are responding better to. I knew what was happening in mine so I didn’t mind talking to so many different people.
7. Still have Uniformed LEOs, you need to make sure the situation is secure. This shows those watching that it’s under control by the Proper Authorities, and using the plain clothes LEOs says it’s a situation that needs compassion. It has less societal judgement given to these type of situations as well as less of that feeling as the one in crisis.
8. If you are going to place someone on a hold, you must ensure Civil Rights are protected. No handcuffs unless the person is a security threat. The use of handcuffs conditions those who watching and involved that mental illness is equal to a crime. Handcuffs should be used for criminals and those in crisis who are a legitimate threat. What happens when 1st Amendment Auditors are handcuffed without committing a crime? It’s a lawsuit. This is the same thing and the Supreme Court has been very clear about upholding our Civil Rights
9. If you are required to place someone on a hold, use an unmarked vehicle unless they have committed a crime. This also will reduce the stigmatization of mental illness being a criminal activity for both the person in crisis and anyone watching. I know you have unmarked cars with cages in them.
10. If you implement these changes imagine what it looks like. Neighbors aren’t as judgmental, those being placed on a hold are treated with dignity knowing their rights will be respected by the good guys. If they show up to a hospital feeling like they were treated well they will be more likely to cooperate with their treatment plan.
11. This one is a different. During my audits in December I had a security guard at the er room at the 1st hospital escalate me. This is a huge red flag and others have reported this same type of conduct during their experiences. Make sure your officers are looking out for the person that they placed in custody, you have taken legal responsibility for a person and leaving them in the hands of people like that security guard. They need to be leading by example and de-escalating these type of situations. Thankfully I had a Deputy there to witness it and escort the security guard out when I called out the behavior and asked for him to be removed. They also need to be willing to intervene and potentially arrest employees like this if they witness continuing to escalate criminal conduct. They are there to enforce the law, not hospital policies.
I don’t want to damage the relationship between law enforcement and our hospitals, so a conversation should be had to make sure everyone is looking out for the best interest of those in crisis and their Civil Rights. The first Rights based hospital opened in America not too long ago. I hope this model spreads like wildfire!
Thank you,
Mikey Ross