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Police Brutality Against Those With Mental Illness: How To Protect Maine's People, Lauren Darge
Police Brutality Against Those With Mental Illness: How To Protect Maine's People, Lauren Darge
Student Scholarship
It is reported that around 61.5 million Americans will experience mental illness at some point in their lifetime, and 3-6% of law enforcement encounters involve those with mental illness. That is anywhere from 184,500-369,000 people with mental illness that may encounter law enforcement. In 2016, 25% of those killed by police were linked to mental illness, and the numbers are only rising. It is important to consider if all mental health crisis encounters with law enforcement are dangerous. A simple answer is no, not all. Though, those with mental illness are disproportionately involved in critical police encounters including use of …