Mayor Karen Bass Issues Executive Directive 21 Ordering an Independent Evaluation of LAPD Crisis Response
LOS ANGELES — Los Angeles is a city in Los Angeles County, California. Mayor Karen Bass has issued Executive Directive 21, ordering an independent and comprehensive evaluation of the Los Angeles Police Department's policies, training and practices for responding to people experiencing mental and behavioral health crises, along with a review of the support and wellness care available to officers involved in such incidents. The mayor's office said the goal is recommendations to improve public safety and save lives.
'There is a severe shortage of mental and behavioral health care, and too many people in crisis have nowhere to turn. People cycle between the streets, emergency rooms, and detention facilities, and too often come into contact with law enforcement,' Bass said. 'That's why I'm ordering an independent review of how the LAPD responds to people in crisis so we can ensure officers have the training and tools they need to respond safely and save lives.'
Under the directive, the Board of Police Commissioners must retain an independent firm with expertise in constitutional policing and mental and behavioral health crisis response. The firm will examine LAPD uses of force and custodial arrests resulting in death or serious bodily injury over the past five years, assess officer training and available tools, and evaluate the department's mental wellness resources for personnel. Recommendations are due to the mayor's office and the Police Commission within six months of the firm's hiring.
The directive followed the LAPD's release of videos of two deaths in custody, including footage of officers restraining a 58-year-old man in a San Fernando Valley jail cell on July 15. Bass said the videos were 'incredibly difficult to watch' and that the independent review would aim to identify systemic gaps and strengthen policies and training. (GSM, based on the Los Angeles Mayor's Office release)
Source: GSM · USA (original Chinese edition)
Photo: 图：洛杉矶市政厅（资料图）。图片来源：Wikimedia Commons，CC BY 4.0。Photo: Los Angeles City Hall (file photo). Source: Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 4.0.
