Cops have a tough job. They are often criticized, when interacting with folks experiencing mental illness, for using too much force, and too quickly. And now they are being criticized for being too patient, resulting in this tragic assault. Part of what makes their job so hard is that we have assigned them the role of being the front line of our mental health “system.” (As if such a “system” even exists.) It’s an assignment they are poorly trained to fill. The MPD’s response was an improvement over some previous incidents, but there were better ways this could have been handled — if we had an effective mental health system — without anyone getting shot.
The man who was shot is clearly a victim. It is likely more difficult for most readers to understand that the shooter is also a victim. I don’t know the shooter, but I spent my career working in community mental health, and I can assure you that his life with untreated mental illness has not been a picnic. Incidents like this, and even worse, will continue until we get serious about addressing community mental health.
John K. Trepp, Minneapolis
