2006 Louisiana Laws - RS 40:2405.5 — Training for law enforcement interaction with mentally ill and developmentally disabled persons

§2405.5.  Training for law enforcement interaction with mentally ill and developmentally disabled persons

A.  The Council on Peace Officer Standards and Training, hereinafter referred to as the "council", shall develop a training course on law enforcement interaction with mentally ill and developmentally disabled persons.  The council shall establish and develop curriculum requirements for the course in consultation with the appropriate community, local, and state organizations that are specialized in the area of working with persons who are mentally ill or developmentally disabled, as well as with any mental health advocacy groups who have expertise in the area of mental health and disability.

B.(1)  The course shall consist of classroom instruction, which can include Internet instruction, and it shall include simulation of actual law enforcement scenarios involving the mentally ill and developmentally disabled to the maximum extent possible.

(2)  In addition, the training course shall include, at a minimum, core instruction in all of the following:

(a)  The cause and nature of mental illnesses and developmental disabilities.

(b)  How to identify indicators and symptoms of mental illness and developmental disabilities and how to respond appropriately in a variety of common situations involving persons suffering from a mental illness or developmental disability.

(c)  Conflict resolution and de-escalation techniques for potentially dangerous situations involving mentally ill or developmentally disabled persons.

(d)  Appropriate language usage when interacting with mentally ill or developmentally disabled persons.

(e)  Alternatives to lethal force when interacting with potentially dangerous mentally ill or developmentally disabled persons.

(f)  Community and state resources available to serve mentally ill or developmentally disabled persons and how these resources can best be utilized by law enforcement to benefit and safely serve the mentally ill or developmentally disabled community.

C.  In addition to funds made available by the legislature and the Louisiana Commission on Law Enforcement and Administration of Criminal Justice, the council may accept gifts, grants, and donations from whatever sources are available for purposes of this Section.

D.  This training course shall be fully implemented by August 1, 2006, and completion of the course shall be recognized by the issuance of a certificate.

E.  The council shall report annually to the legislature on the implementation of the program.  The program shall include a description of the activities of the training course, the number of law enforcement officers trained, data as to the results of the program, the progress of trained officers, all costs associated with the program, and any other information relevant to program effectiveness.

F. The provisions of this Section shall be implemented provided funding is available.

Acts 2005, No. 113, §1.