For too many people experiencing acute mental illness, cries for help bring police and handcuffs rather than compassionate medical intervention. But this doesn’t have to be the case. This report examines the laws across the U.S. related to law enforcement custody and transportation under involuntary civil commitment, when alternative transport is permitted, and opportunities to reduce the role of law enforcement in these situations when possible.
By Katie Lazar, Marvin Swartz, and Megan Moore.