A quick update on the Missouri Sheriff’s Association Law Enforcement Academy hosted by Texas County.
Class 303 continues to progress with the original nine students still enrolled and receiving training. Thus far, the class has spent a lot of time on learning in a classroom setting. The class has received instruction in several blocks, including criminal statutes and various types of investigations. In the coming months, the class will receive more hands-on training with practical exercises. The sheriff’s association also has a unique offering available right now, a book detailing the history of sheriffs in Missouri. If you would like more information, visit www.mosheriffs.com/history.
May 14 marked the end of the school year for the Raymondville district. It was also a chance to recognize School Resource Deputy Art Williamson. Art is retiring from his position at Raymondville. Deputy Williamson is respected and well liked by both the students and staff. I am thankful for Art stepping up to fill the SRO spot at Raymondville. Congratulations on a job well done! The search continues for the next resource deputy at Raymondville. This position is a partnership with the school district and the sheriff’s office. Any interested persons should possess a Missouri POST license and contact the Raymondville School District for more information.
May was also Mental Health Awareness Month. The sheriff’s office deals with mental health on several levels. Deputies respond to many mental health calls during their normal duties. Jail detention officers often encounter people with mental health issues that are incarcerated. Perhaps, most importantly, I am aware of the mental health challenges that first responders face as well. Several of the deputies and I have attended Crisis Intervention Training (CIT) that helps prepare law enforcement officers for encounters with people that may be having a mental health crisis or have other health issues that can affect their behavior and how they respond to communicating with a law enforcement officer.
Mental health calls remain one of the most challenging issues that law enforcement deals with. There is a very difficult balance between trying to provide help to people and not creating a situation where instead of providing help it escalates into a use of force to protect the officer. The question arises sometimes whether it is better for law enforcement to exit the situation to de-escalate at the risk of someone being left alone to possibly self-harm or is it better to try and take that person into protective custody. These are the difficult decisions that law enforcement leaders face throughout the nation when dealing with mental health calls.