Mayor Bass Ordered Review of LAPD Mental Health Policies
The directive follows recent police-involved shootings during mental health crisis calls.
Updated on Sept. 24, 2026 in Mental Health
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Should all patrol officers receive specialized training for responding to mental health crises?
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass has ordered an outside review of LAPD policies regarding mental health intervention training. The decision comes after several recent police-involved shootings involving individuals in crisis.
Why it matters
The review seeks to identify shortcomings in current police protocols when responding to mental health emergencies. It highlights a critical need to evaluate how patrol officers are prepared to handle high-stress situations involving vulnerable individuals.
Currently, specialized mental health intervention training is not standard for all patrol officers in the department. Only members of the SWAT team and specific other units receive this specialized preparation.
The players
Karen Bass
Karen Bass serves as the Mayor of Los Angeles and is responsible for setting municipal policy priorities.
LAPD
The Los Angeles Police Department is the municipal law enforcement agency responsible for public safety across the city.
The details
The review focuses specifically on the training protocols that dictate how officers respond to and de-escalate calls involving people in mental health crisis. This administrative move aims to modernize the department's approach following public scrutiny over recent violent encounters.
Timeline
September 24, 2026: Mayor Karen Bass ordered an outside review of LAPD mental health training policies.
The Big Picture
This review of training policies follows a broader national movement toward alignment with the 2023 Department of Justice guidelines on police response to mental health crises.
The potential policy overhaul may lead to changes in how officers arrive and interact with residents during emergency mental health calls in the city. Residents can expect ongoing public discussions regarding the department's standard operating procedures for crisis intervention.
The takeaway
The move signals a commitment to re-evaluating how law enforcement balances public safety with the specific needs of individuals in crisis. Officials will likely prioritize de-escalation strategies as they work to improve training standards across the department.
Further reading
For more information on local initiatives, visit the Mental Health section.
Live Poll
Should all patrol officers receive specialized training for responding to mental health crises?
