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Reimagining Police Responses to Mental Health Crises in America: A Shift Towards Compassionate Care
In the United States, the tragic death of Kelly Thomas, a homeless man with schizophrenia beaten and Tased by police in Fullerton, California, reignited a national conversation about policing, mental health, and community safety. On July 5th, 2011, Thomas was subjected to violent police force, which he succumbed to five days later. The release of security footage the following year sparked outrage, shining a stark light on how law enforcement handles individuals with severe mental illness.