David Wilson wrote: > I read the St. Paul Police Chief's editorial in the St. Paul paper. I > thought that it was a reasonable approach and didn't see how Renee > concluded that that he didn't have any understanding of mental illness.
Police Chief Finney's last sentence was: "Rather than criticism, I would ask that you give them (the police force) your understanding, confidence, and support." He doesn't get it. The criticism is directed at HIM. Why isn't he training his force to deal with the mentally ill in appropriate ways. Why are we second class citizens? Why is it alright to take us out because we get in the way of how they usually perform their jobs? Why is it alright to kill us and excuse it by saying we are mentally ill and acting irrationally? If anyone else is ill and is in crisis do they shoot them? Why isn't everyone on the Minneapolis police force trained to deal with the mentally ill? How large of percentage of cases do police deal with each day that have mental health issues? If the Minneapolis Police Chief understood mental health issues he would make it a high priority to get training for all of his people. How about the Mayor? Any push from him? When I move back to the Cities I will be living by myself. If I become unstable and have a crisis the last people I want anyone to call is the police. That is not the way it should be. And you know what? I don't think I'm alone. In fact, I know I'm not alone. I've heard from others on this list and others on mn-politics that they feel the same way. So I need one of those medical alert bracelets that says "I have bipolar. If I have a medical crisis, under no circumstances, notify the police in Mpls or St. Paul. Hit me over the head with a 2x4 if you have to but get me to a hospital." Renee Jenson WI [EMAIL PROTECTED] _______________________________________ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
