Police taught to spot signs of psychiatric crisis

    The shooting of a homeless camper by police in Albuquerque, N.M., illustrates a problem that has long festered across the country.

    As states slash funding for mental health services, police officers are interacting more than ever with people suffering from schizophrenia and other serious disorders of the mind.

    The consequences can be deadly, with dozens of mentally ill people killed in confrontations with police.

    Training can help police spot when someone’s in crisis and adjust their tactics accordingly. That could reduce injuries to officers and people with mental illness as well as the frequency of arrests. But experts say training only goes so far.

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