Mental Illness

Reducing Law Enforcement's Footprint to Maximize Community Safety: Eliminating Police-Based Response to Low Level Traffic Violations and Mental Health Crises

Submitted by Jane Clayton on Tue, 02/06/2024 - 16:40

This white paper provides an overview of the harms that flow from relying on law enforcement for civil traffic violations and crisis intervention. These two arenas account for a significant portion of police-civilian contacts and, in turn, a significant portion of civilian deaths at the hands of police. In 2021 alone, police killed at least 1,140 people. 117 of those people were killed after police stopped them for a traffic violation, and 104 were killed after police responded to reports of erratic behavior or mental health crisis.

Tyree v. Santa Clara County

Submitted by Re'Neisha Stevenson on Tue, 09/20/2022 - 13:33

31 y.o. mentally ill man, beaten to death by corrections officers in jail. Three officers charged with murder. Decedent’s 7y.o. daughter received 85% of settlement, and sisters received 15%.

Hobson v. Lake County

Submitted by Re'Neisha Stevenson on Tue, 09/20/2022 - 13:07

Mentally ill man, afraid to drink anything but bottled water, allowed to die of dehydration in jail; neglect of his serious psychiatric needs; survived by his mother.

Cotton v. City of Eureka

Submitted by Re'Neisha Stevenson on Tue, 09/20/2022 - 12:24

Police beat to death a homeless, mentally ill, drug-addicted, 26 y.o. man; verdict includes $75k punitive damages, $1,250,000 for decedent’s pain and suffering, and non-economic damages awarded to father; does not include attorneys fees awarded separately.

C.M. v. County of Los Angeles

Submitted by Re'Neisha Stevenson on Tue, 09/20/2022 - 12:08

29 y.o. mentally ill man on bicycle, known to be on probation, shot by police officers during attempted detention for stolen vehicle when man moved his hands upwards toward his chest after being ordered to show his hands.

Thomas v. City of Fullerton, et al

Submitted by Re'Neisha Stevenson on Tue, 09/20/2022 - 10:28

Police severely beat 37 yr. old schizophrenic, homeless man after he failed to comply with commands, died a few days later. Survived by parents; officers charged but not convicted.

Coleman v. City of Chicago

Submitted by Re'Neisha Stevenson on Tue, 09/20/2022 - 08:10

38 y.o., disruptive, mentally ill man, dragged from jail cell, beaten, and repeatedly Tased to death; survived by parents.

Jones, et al. v. City of Albuquerque

Submitted by Re'Neisha Stevenson on Tue, 09/20/2022 - 07:51

Shooting death of 38 y. o., schizophrenic, homeless man, after being found camping on public lands in Albuquerque, survived by brother. Officers currently on trial for 2nd degree murder.

Beiard v. City of Los Angeles

Submitted by Re'Neisha Stevenson on Tue, 09/20/2022 - 07:49

Police shooting of unarmed, mentally disabled veteran, 51 y.o. man after car chase; survived by parents.

Neuroth v. Mendocino County, CFMG, and City of Willits

Submitted by Re'Neisha Stevenson on Tue, 09/20/2022 - 06:56

54 y.o. schizophrenic man on meth killed by restraint asphyxia in county jail, on video; CFMG medical providers failed to intervene or treat face-down, motionless decedent; Willits officers negligently aggravated decedent’s paranoia; survived by brother.

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