MHLAC’s statement in full, also found at Diversity, Equity & Inclusion – MHLAC.
“Police violence in the United States is detrimental to our mental health. The total lack of compassion evident in the recent killing of Sayed Faisal, in Cambridge, MA, and the brutal murder of Tyre Nichols, in Memphis, TN, are just two examples of the 79 people killed by police in the United States in just the first month of 2023. We express our sadness for the profound grief of the families and communities of Sayed Faisal, Tyre Nichols, and all those who have lost loved ones to police violence.
Many of the most shocking incidents of police killings have involved calls to help persons who, like Mr. Faisal, were in acute mental health crisis. Addressing the myriad problems underlying police violence in our nation presents a daunting challenge, but one area in which substantive change is immediately possible is to replace police with mental health professionals in response to such crises.
Mental Health Legal Advisors Committee stands with all members of our community, near and far, in demanding change. Every person deserves the opportunity to be met with compassion, humanity, and self-determinate assistance whenever they encounter law enforcement, particularly when experiencing a mental health crisis. We are committed to a comprehensive reimagining of what community safety and public health can look like. MHLAC supports comprehensive policing reform and expanded access to mental health services for all, which includes our ongoing work to develop and implement unarmed, non-law enforcement crisis response teams trained to respond constructively to community members experiencing mental health crises.”