US Media Group
The Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office announced Tuesday that deputies will no longer respond to mental health calls unless a crime is being committed, a policy shift that has raised concerns among local emergency responders.
Sheriff Jim Cooper cited a recent ruling from the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals as the catalyst for the decision. The court held a Las Vegas police officer liable for the death of a man in mental distress after force was used on him, despite no criminal activity taking place.
“Being mentally ill is not a crime and we can’t be the answer,” Cooper said during a news conference. “Law enforcement officers are not trained mental health professionals. We’re not psychiatrists or psychologists. We have minimal training at de-escalation.”
The shift has elicited serious concerns from the Sacramento Metropolitan Fire District. Parker Wilbourn, a spokesperson for Sac Metro Fire, emphasized that firefighters often rely on law enforcement to ensure the safety of a scene before they can assist.
“Any call that has a potential for one of our folks to be hurt, we call for law enforcement,” Wilbourn said. “It’s only a matter of time before one of our members is either seriously hurt or gravely injured as a result of this decision.”
Under the new protocol, the sheriff’s office will direct mental health calls lacking a criminal aspect to the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, which is operated locally by WellSpace Health. The county’s behavioral health services expressed their commitment to collaboration, stating they will continually adjust procedures to ensure safety in managing mental health crises.
“We value the Sheriff’s Department’s support and look forward to continued collaboration when necessary,” a county spokesperson said. “If you or someone you know needs help, please call 988—support is just a call away.”
While the county has 11 mental health practitioners available, questions regarding the staffing of the 988 line and when an in-person response might occur were not addressed at the briefing.
Cooper stated that calls involving criminal mental health issues will be treated as major events, stressing that his office must prioritize mental health funding outside law enforcement. He acknowledged the potential backlash for the decision but remains firm in his belief that the change is necessary.
“We wear the badge, we carry the gun, we deal with crime, not mental health crises,” Cooper said. “The Scott v. Smith ruling has tied our hands.”
As this policy change unfolds, community stakeholders await further developments regarding mental health resources and support services in the area.