Police Train With Behavioral Health Clinicians

The Kennewick Police Department was where several local law enforcement agencies got together to learn tools necessary when dealing with a person going through a mental health crisis.

On Thursday, officers got to use the tools they've learned in five scenario situations, including a person wanting to jump from a balcony, and removing a woman in a vehicle that didn't belong to her.

Cameron Fordmeir, Outpatient Manager with Lourdes Counseling Center, said, "Autism looks a little bit different than someone who is psychotic.  Someone who is dealing with depression looks a lot different than somebody who is manic and in a bi-polar episode."

Fordmeir said, "They break each individual diagnosis down on what to look for, signs, and symptoms, and also tips and tricks on how to speak to somebody.  Because how you speak to somebody who's in a psychotic episode is a little bit different than how you'd speak to somebody who's experiencing an anxiety or panic attack."

The training helps officers recognize when someone may be going through a mental health crisis and provides them the tools to use during these situations, creating a safer environment for the individuals and the officers.