'Speak out for Gregory' opens conversation about police response to mental health crisis
The State Journal-RegisterMay 14, 2021
May 14—After two months of watching their brother recover from multiple gunshot wounds suffered during a mental health crisis where a
"It's Mental Health Awareness Month and we really want to highlight changes that are needed in our society," said Clemons, who is the co-founder of Black Lives Matter Springfield. "We really need a mental health crisis response option other than the police."
While the sisters hope talking publicly about their family's recent experience will start productive conversations about mental health and bring awareness to how mental health crisis calls are handled, the family's primary objective is getting the aggravated assault charge brought against Small dropped.
During the
Upon arriving at the residence, fficer
According to police, Small did not listen when Hahn told him repeatedly to drop the knife and instead advanced toward the officer. Hahn responded by shooting Small four times.
An investigation by
"The ISP investigation revealed that Officer Hahn responded to the scene and was confronted with a clear and present danger to himself and others when the subject advanced toward him with a knife," Wright said in a press release.
Small was taken to a local hospital with critical injuries following the shooting. He spent time in intensive care after several surgeries but has since been discharged. He is now recovering at home and still under medical care.
He is due in court later this month after Wright charged him with aggravated assault in March.
"He does not remember any of the situation, which is one of the things that we're saying about the charge," explained Clemons, who said her brother was experiencing a manic episode when Hahn responded to the call. "He's charged with assault. Part of the definition of assault is knowingly doing this. He does not know. He does not remember. He remembers waking up in the hospital."
In defining assault,
"I have been in regular communication with defense counsel from the start and the objective of all involved has been to ensure
To have Small's case sent to mental health recovery court — which includes an intensive treatment program and weekly appearances to check in on progress — he would need to enter a guilty plea, according to Wright's office. Completion of the mental health recovery court program varies, as it is dependent on a person's progress.
After reviewing the 911 call, the dashcam video, the ISP investigation and other details of the incident, Wright said he is unable to drop all charges. The charges are necessary, he said, to ensure Small gets the mental health care he needs.
Clemons and Schroeder have taken to the Black Lives Matter SPI Facebook page and a newly-created "Speak Out For Gregory" Facebook page to ask community members to email Wright and Foli about the way the incident is being handled and request the charge be dropped.
"The recovery court, I understand," Clemons said. "They want to make sure that he continues his care."
Clemons' issue is with the requirement her brother enter a guilty plea for the incident he said he does not remember.
"He does not need even a temporary criminal record," Clemons said. "That's not going to be what's best for him. That's going to affect job ability, potentially housing — some places don't rent to you if you have a criminal record. He's never had a record before. He's never been in any kind of trouble.
"I just don't see that as being justice."
More than 1,000 people have responded to Clemons and Schroeder's social media posts.
Sen.
"A mental health crisis is not a crime and should not be treated as such," said Peters in an official statement. "Gregory was having a mental health crisis and was suicidal, and the situation was made worse and almost cost him his life. We need to invest in alternative responses so that this never happens again, because our responsibility is to provide treatment, not trauma."
Of CPD's 15 sworn officers — which includes
While three CPD officers have not met the two-year minimum required to attend the training, two other officers have yet to attend the class.
Hahn is one of the department's three officers with less than two years of experience.
Foli said he does not understand the purpose of the two-year requirement.
"That makes no sense to me," he explained. "I don't understand that.
"That's something for you to ask state legislators to enact laws in the state of
Still, Foli — who expressed sympathy for Small's mental health episode — maintains Hahn "did everything he could possibly do to render aid and also to protect his own life" during the call at the Small residence.
"That will be totally apparent once the dashcam video is released, along with the reports," he added.
At the request of Small's lawyer,
"The attorneys in the criminal matter have agreed that disclosure of this information would deprive the subject of a full and fair trial," CPD said in an official statement. "Based on that request, the Village is not disclosing the information at this time. The Village will release the information when it is assured that such disclosure will not deprive the subject of a fair trial."
Small's preliminary court date is set for
On Saturday, Black Lives Matter SPI is hosting a "Mental Health and Justice Awareness Rally" at
"We want to do what's best for everybody involved," Foli said. "I know people may think that we're trying to hide things. But we're not.
"When it comes to mental illness, when it comes to crisis intervention, this is evolving and we'll continue to evolve it throughout the police realm."
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