Local Police Department Honored For Its Work Assisting Those Dealing With Mental Illness
By Jim Melwert
LOWER MERION, Pa. (CBS) -- The Lower Merion Police Department is being recognized for its work in helping those dealing with mental illness.
The National Alliance on Mental Illness or NAMI awards Lower Merion Police Department with its 2015 Criminal Justice Award.
Officer Joe Hunsicker says the department was nominated by a resident who saw how much they do for the mentally ill in the area.
"How hard we try to assist them, get them the help they need, utilize all of Montgomery County resources as opposed to criminaling mental illness."
Every officer in the department goes through a two-day program through Montgomery County Emergency Services. And Officer Hunsicker stresses this award goes to the entire department for emphasizing the importance of the training.
"When someone is manic or hearing voices or anything else, you pick up the clues, and then you realize okay this person is decompensating, they're having a tough time, they're mentally ill, now let's start talking to them, see where they go for treatment."
