Spike in shootings by police prompts AG response

[Silent_Bob]

http://www.unionleader.com/article/20110731/NEWS07/707319975

A dramatic spike in the number of officer-involved shootings has prompted Attorney General Michael Delaney to meet with law enforcement leaders to see whether more police training is needed, especially when dealing with mentally ill people.

It has also prompted the executive director of the Disabilities Rights Center, Richard Cohen, to call for a review of the civilian deaths to see whether there are less aggressive measures police could use in handling such volatile situations.

In the first six months of 2011, there were six officer-involved shootings — four of them fatal. The state usually sees only about one fatality of this type in a year, Delaney said.

"What most of those have in common more than anything else is they involve individuals with mental or emotional difficulties who have exhibited aggressive conduct toward police while armed with deadly weapons," Delaney said.

emotional difficulties who have exhibited aggressive conduct toward police while armed with deadly weapons," Delaney said.

It is premature, Delaney said, to determine whether the hike represents a short-term spike or the beginning of a longer-term trend.

"It is important that we make sure the law enforcement community is receiving all the training it needs to deal with this population, to properly deal with citizens who experience mental difficulties," Delaney said.

Delaney has already begun meeting with law enforcement leaders, he said.

"We have begun to look at what occurred and look at training to see if there is anything additional to provide to police officers," Delaney said.

Training is also intended to protect police from being killed by civilians, Delaney said.

Cohen suggested a committee be established to study each officer-involved fatality or that the deaths be reviewed through the Adult Fatality Review Committee, on which he sits. That committee reviews adult deaths, usually those with some connection to the state Department of Health and Human Services, he said.

A committee could review the incidents with an eye to finding ways to avoid deadly outcomes in the future, he said.

"In terms of the economic climate and the deterioration of New Hampshire services over time, this matter is urgent and probably won't go away," Cohen said.

By law, Delaney's office investigates officer-involved shootings to determine whether the officer's conduct was consistent with the law.

State law authorizes law enforcement to use deadly force when confronted with the imminent use of deadly force against them or others, Delaney said. "In all of these cases, we like to ensure the safety of citizens and officers. We do want to avoid these violent conflicts and bring them to a peaceful resolution when we can," Delaney said.

Rep. Gene Charron, R-Chester, who retired as superintendent of the Rockingham County House of Corrections, sponsored legislation in 2009 requiring more police training in dealing with people with mental illness. The bill was killed when lawmakers were satisfied the curriculum at the New Hampshire Police Academy was adequate, he said.

People can get stressed in times of economic downturn, Charron said.

"Sad things can happen when people are trying to maintain the family," he said.

Don Vittum, director of the New Hampshire Police Standards and Training Council, which runs the police academy, said cadets receive training in how to deal with mentally ill people through a contract with the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill.

They are trained, too, in the deadly force law, but not in the use of stun guns. It is up to local departments whether to buy stun guns and train officers in their use, Vittum said.

Vittum said he has spoken with Delaney.

"He brought up the fact that we may have to look at training. ... We will," Vittum said.

Assistant Safety Commissioner Earl Sweeney said he always advocates for more training, but believes given budget constraints, the academy and local departments do a good job.

He pointed to an increase in police deaths as well. "Police are facing people armed with much more deadly weapons than in the past," he said.

Using pepper spray and stun guns can be effective, but not when the other party is armed with a gun or a knife, he said.

"Once a less lethal form of force have been deployed, you don't have time to put it away and pull your gun when someone is coming at you with a knife or gun," Sweeney said.