Winnipeg police asked to find ways to reduce violence against mentally ill people in crisis

The Winnipeg Police Board wants the city's incoming police chief to ensure the Winnipeg Police Service can modify their tactics to deal with crisis situations involvingmentally ill people

A draft version of a new use-of-force policycalls on Winnipeg's police chief to issue a variety of directives pertaining to the use of force. Oneinvolves ensuring police in the field develop"specific awareness of ways to minimize threats and ensure safety" when they encounter "individuals experiencing mental health crises."

The policy, which comes before the police board on Friday,calls for policeto de-escalate crisis situations whenever possible to reduce the potential for harm to mentally people and other members of the public.

Incoming police-board chair JeffBrowaty(NorthKildonan) said incidents such as the2013policeshootingofSammyYatimon a Toronto streetcarhighlightsthe need for additional training for police officers.

"Crises situations are obviously difficult. Whereverpossible, de-escalation is the first courseof action," saidBrowaty, who takes over the helm of the police board from St.James-BrooklandsCoun. ScottGillingham.

The Canadian Mental Health Associationapplauded the police board for taking a proactive approach toward the treatment of the mentally ill.

"We'requite thrilled about what thispolicycould lead to in practicechange forindividualsexperiencingmental healthproblems who might encounter the police," said Marion Cooper, executive director of the CMHA's Manitoba and Winnipegoffice.

"It wouldsuggest there is more effort made to support the training of police officers toward understanding the complexityof mental illness and what it might be likefor somebody experiencing mental health illnesses."

Cooper said while she recognizes training can not prevent police from using force in all encounters with mentally ill people in crisis, she expressed optimism more use-of-force incidentscan be prevented.

The police service acknowledged but did not respond to a request for comment about the manner in which it trains police to deal with people experiencing mental illness.

Danny Smyth will be sworn in as Winnipeg's new police chief on Nov. 8.