Police Seek Exemption From Gun Law For Mental Health Treatment
CT News JunkieMar 09, 2018
And that's only the number a group of law enforcement officers at the state
"It's one of the most devastating events any law enforcement agency can experience," Rascati said.
"It's difficult to focus when you're still thinking to yourself whether you could have gotten him some more help," Mercado said. "It doesn't get any easier."
One of the barriers to treatment the officers are looking to the
The bill the officers are supporting would carve out an exemption for law enforcement and allow them to get their service weapon back even if they sought mental health treatment. At the moment, no matter who you are in
An involuntary admission to a psychiatric hospital will cost any
Research has shown officers are 1.5 times more likely to commit suicide and have life spans that are 10 years shorter than members of the general public, he added.
Rascati said police officers don't want to lose their livelihood, so they simply won't seek treatment.
Even though alcohol and drug treatment are exempted, Rascati said he sends his clients to
He said he sends them out of state so they can keep their jobs.
"I don't want them to risk their permit," Rascati said.
He said they raised the issue back in 2013 when the legislation was being debated and now they're giving the
"As a society we should want our officers seeking mental health treatment and not put obstacles in their path," Rascati said.
The bill also supports the development of police peer support teams. Rascati said officers rather talk to each other than to him. He said peer support often opens the door to mental health treatment for officers who need it.
"While we respect the hard work of our sworn officers across the state, we believe it would be in the best interest if this bill were modified to include all seeking the issuance or renewal of a permit to carry a pistol or revolver, an eligibility certificate for pistols or revolvers, or an eligibility certificate for long arms," Wilson wrote. "Essentially, if this legislation is good enough for police officers, it should good enough for all applicants."
But law enforcement says they're different.
He said local police are being asked to be homeland security. "We're not military, but we're paramilitary and we are the front line within our own borders," he said.
In addition, "it's what are you doing to protect our kids in schools," he said. "Twenty years ago we didn't even talk about police officers in schools."
And it's even bigger than that. "It's how do you as an officer plan to save my life," Engstrand said.
He said the 2013 law has stopped police officers from coming forward and seeking help.
He said the data collection about police suicide and peer support teams that are part of the legislation will also help.
"During my training to be a police officer I learned how to save a fellow officer from a gunshot or stab wound, to prevent the bleeding until help could arrive,"
A fundraiser for Byrne's son, Tyler, will be held on
Tyler was the focus in Byrne's last note, which
"Tell Tyler I'm sorry. I love him immensely too. I'm being left in the mud and I can't pick myself back up. My depression is too great and it would rub off on Ty. I don't want him to have to continue to see me in this uncontrollable state. He's young enough to get over the memory of me and will be okay without me. I've tried medications, but nothing is stopping the bleeding of my broken heart. I'm sorry I failed my family".