SAMSON SAYS UNIFORM MENTAL HEALTH TRAINING WILL HELP POLICE AND CORRECTIONAL OFFICERS
Date: Tuesday November 3, 2009

(Halifax, NS) Liberal justice critic Michel Samson today introduced
an amendment that would see the development and implementation of a
training program to help police and correctional officers more
effectively respond to calls involving mentally ill individuals.

Samson says it only makes sense to provide training that will help
ensure that individuals experiencing mental illness are given
appropriate care in the appropriate setting.

“This training would educate the officers on the most effective ways
to deal with mental illness when responding to calls,” says Samson.
“It would also help officers determine how an individual should be
treated if they have to be removed from their current environment,
detained or taken into custody.”

Samson says police officers routinely encounter people with mental
illness but aren’t trained in how to respond. According to reports,
about 80 per cent of police officers in Canada admit they need more
training in the area.

“I’m sure we’ve all heard or read about recent incidents right
across the country, including here in our province,” says the Liberal
MLA. “The misunderstanding about mental illness sometimes results in
unnecessary and violent force being used to subdue a mental health
consumer in an emergency situation.”

“Comprehensive and consistent training would enhance the ability of
our province’s professional officers to work with mental health
consumers,” concludes Samson. “It’s training that will help
protect both our officers and Nova Scotians suffering from mental
illness.”


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