DeKalb Police Forms Mental Health Roundtable

DECATUR, Ga. – DeKalb County CEO Michael Thurmond formed the Mental Health Roundtable after meeting with the mother and father of Quintas Harris. Mr. Harris, a veteran with mental illness, tragically lost his life after an encounter with DeKalb County Police. 

“I had a private meeting with the mother and father of Quintas Harris and promised the parents that DeKalb County would do more to protect and save the lives of residents with mental illnesses,” said CEO Thurmond.

Under the direction of DeKalb County Assistant Police Chief Sonya Porter, who is responsible for police training, the county created a mental health roundtable committee of more than two dozen local mental health experts to discuss how to de-escalate confrontations and develop training recommendations for county police officers.

The mental health roundtable committee held its first meeting in September and will meet regularly to assess encounters and provide guidance on how to recognize and respond to residents with mental health issues.  The group will also identify and provide a list of available resources such as referrals and treatment that can be given to residents. 

More than one-half of the county’s sworn officers have completed crisis intervention training (CIT), instructional training involving various mental health topics. CIT training equips officers with the skills needed to safely respond to individuals with mental health needs in crisis.

The county is committed to training officers on how to peacefully resolve encounters with mentally ill residents and employing de-escalation strategies rather than using force.  For the 2018 budget, CEO Thurmond will request funding to continue the mental health roundtable and offer CIT training to all DeKalb County police officers.  

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