In society, the police carry out the role to protect its citizens and ensure the safety of the public. When a dangerous issue is present, civilians tend to seek the police for assistance. It is believed that the most effective kind of policing is to have a strong foundation between the police and public. However, recently there has been controversial withstanding between civilians and police officers involving what is considered a reasonable amount of force used. One unfamiliar ground police officers seem to lack experience on is assisting mentally ill people. Usually in these cases, mentally disturbed citizens seek help; however these incidents end with long-term consequences, such as death. In addition, to lack of training being a contributor,
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In most situations, officers tend to use a high amount of force to seemingly control the mentally ill individual. Nevertheless, the results are almost always similar; the civilian is shot to death. For instance, Mohamed Bah, a mentally ill individual was shot to death rather than being assisted with medical attention. The case revolved around Hawa Bah seeking 911 dispatchers for assistance on her mentally disturbed son, Mohamed Bah. Subsequently, instead of paramedics showing up, the police appeared ready for combat. The Washington Post states, the police swarmed into Mohamed’s apartment wearing tactical gear followed by firing upon entering (Lowery, 1). It was claimed Mohamed Bah was carrying a 13-inch kitchen knife and approached the officers, however, no reasonable evidence has be found where Bah caused physical harm. Although it was later noted there were no injuries resulted from the kitchen knife, during the incident the officer claimed the knife stabbed him. For example, Mateo the officer yelled ‘ He’s stabbing me! Shoot him!’ when he was allegedly being stabbed (Lowery, 3). Because Mateo seemed to have been in danger, the other officer shot Mohamed Bah eight times, including a head shot. Following Bah’s death, a trial occurred where Matteo testified being …show more content…
If the police departments were to focus on proper training for situations like these, and educated their officers on current mental health issues in America, then more discretion will be used and mentally disturbed individuals will be treated
In most situations, officers tend to use a high amount of force to seemingly control the mentally ill individual. Nevertheless, the results are almost always similar; the civilian is shot to death. For instance, Mohamed Bah, a mentally ill individual was shot to death rather than being assisted with medical attention. The case revolved around Hawa Bah seeking 911 dispatchers for assistance on her mentally disturbed son, Mohamed Bah. Subsequently, instead of paramedics showing up, the police appeared ready for combat. The Washington Post states, the police swarmed into Mohamed’s apartment wearing tactical gear followed by firing upon entering (Lowery, 1). It was claimed Mohamed Bah was carrying a 13-inch kitchen knife and approached the officers, however, no reasonable evidence has be found where Bah caused physical harm. Although it was later noted there were no injuries resulted from the kitchen knife, during the incident the officer claimed the knife stabbed him. For example, Mateo the officer yelled ‘ He’s stabbing me! Shoot him!’ when he was allegedly being stabbed (Lowery, 3). Because Mateo seemed to have been in danger, the other officer shot Mohamed Bah eight times, including a head shot. Following Bah’s death, a trial occurred where Matteo testified being …show more content…
If the police departments were to focus on proper training for situations like these, and educated their officers on current mental health issues in America, then more discretion will be used and mentally disturbed individuals will be treated