There is a 'real fear' of police among those with mental illness, says Mark Gruchy
An outspoken advocate for those coping with mental illness says members of the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary need to re-double their efforts with regards to sensitivity training and awareness.
Mark Gruchy believes the RNC is making strides in that direction, but he says there remains a "real fear" among many when it comes to police involvement with so-called mental health events.
"We have to be concerned if a significant proportion of the population feels that fear," said Gruchy, who is president of the Newfoundland and Labrador chapter of the Canadian Mental Health Association. He is also a defence lawyer.
Gruchy believes it may be time to consider a "separate class of individuals," or a specialized unit, to respond to such incidents "before a tragedy happens."
"We don't want a group of people who are afraid of the police … because that leads to misery and tragedy for everyone," he said.
Accused found not guilty
Gruchy's comments during an interview on Here and Now Wednesday were in response to the latest incident of police mishandling of a case involving someone with a mental illness.
RNC Const. Lisa Harris, who was reprimanded for her handling of a 2009 encounter with a teenager with autism, is again facing criticism, this time in relation to a May 2013 case in Torbay.
Harris's actions during the 2013 incident were condemned by Judge James Walsh in a decision handed down at provincial court.
In a 911 telephone recording played in court, Harris could be heard swearing at and threatening to pepper spray a man who was experiencing a mental health crisis.
The man was charged with resisting arrest and assaulting a police officer, but was found not guilty by Walsh.
Gruchy said he was shocked, disturbed, offended and hurt by the recording. He said the swearing and general attitude of the officer was unacceptable.
"My heart went out to the man," he said.
Gruchy says police are ill-disposed to deal with mental illness
The incident has raised questions about whether there is a systemic problem in the RNC, or whether this is an isolated matter relating to a single officer.
Gruchy believes members of the RNC are generally very concerned about mental health issues, and are striving to be professional and informed.
When you get to the place where you're yelling and bawling and saying F this and F that, you no longer have control. And at that point the normal human response to your actions is going to be to perceive them as illegitimate.- Mark Gruchy
But he said mental illness is a very complex social issue, and police officers are generally "ill-disposed" to deal with it.
He said the RNC needs to closely examine its training and procedures and do whatever is necessary to ensure members of the public have confidence there will not be a repeat of such incidents.
He said it's essential that officers maintain their composure during such encounters. Otherwise, he added, it may escalate the situation.
"When you get to the place where you're yelling and bawling and saying f-this and f-that, you no longer have control. And at that point the normal human response to your actions is going to be to perceive them as illegitimate," he said.
The RNC have so far not commented on the matter.