In a significant move towards reforming how mental health crises are handled in Cleveland, city council members have proposed a new measure known as Tanisha’s Law. This initiative aims to replace armed police officers with unarmed behavioral health clinicians for wellness checks, a change that advocates believe could save lives and prevent tragedies similar to that of Tanisha Anderson.
The tragic story behind the law
Anderson, a 37-year-old woman who battled mental illness, died while in police custody in 2014. Her death sparked outrage and highlighted the urgent need for reform in how law enforcement interacts with individuals experiencing mental health crises. The proposed law is named in her honor, reflecting the ongoing struggle of her family and the community to ensure that no one else suffers a similar fate.
Anderson’s uncle, Michael Anderson, has been a driving force behind the proposal, collaborating with law students from Case Western University to develop a framework that prioritizes mental health care over police intervention. During a recent city council meeting, council members Stephanie Howse-Jones, Rebecca Maurer and Charles Silfe presented the measure, emphasizing its potential to change the landscape of mental health responses in Cleveland.
A family’s plea for change
At a press conference on Nov. 7, Anderson’s nephew, Jacob Johnson, shared the emotional toll that his aunt’s death has taken. He expressed hope that Tanisha’s Law would prevent other families from experiencing similar grief. “This will mean that no other family will have to endure what we’ve endured,” Johnson stated, highlighting the profound impact of his aunt’s death on their lives.
Proposed models of response
The law proposes two distinct models for responding to mental health emergencies:
Co-responder model: In this approach, police officers would initially respond to a call but would quickly involve a behavioral health specialist, akin to calling for backup in a traditional police response.
Care-response model: This model completely removes police from the equation, dispatching teams of clinicians directly to the scene, provided that there is no immediate threat to the individual or the public.
While the care-response model has received tacit support from Mayor Justin Bibb, council members stress the importance of formalizing these options into law to ensure proper funding and implementation. This sentiment underscores the necessity of legislative backing for effective mental health interventions.
Addressing systemic issues
The Cleveland Police Department is currently under a consent decree imposed by the Department of Justice following Anderson’s death. This decree mandates improvements in their response to mental health crises. However, as the agreement is set to expire, there is a pressing need for sustainable changes that prioritize the well-being of vulnerable citizens.
Council members are cautious about rushing the law’s passage, wanting to ensure that it serves the best interests of the community. They recognize that a carefully implemented law could significantly reduce the harm faced by individuals in crisis.
As Cleveland moves forward with the proposal of Tanisha’s Law, it represents a critical step towards reforming the intersection of law enforcement and mental health care. By advocating for the involvement of trained behavioral health clinicians instead of armed police officers, the city aims to create a safer and more compassionate response to mental health emergencies. The hope is that this law will not only honor Anderson’s memory but also pave the way for a more humane approach to mental health crises across the nation.
