Los Angeles Ordered Mental Health Training Review
Mayor Karen Bass initiated an outside audit of LAPD protocols following recent police-involved shootings.
Updated on Sept. 24, 2026 in Mental Health
Live Poll
Should all patrol officers receive specialized training for responding to mental health crises?
Mayor Karen Bass has ordered an independent review of how the Los Angeles Police Department trains officers for mental health crisis response. The directive follows a series of recent police-involved shootings in Los Angeles.
Why it matters
Recent incidents involving individuals in mental health crisis have raised concerns regarding current department training standards. This review seeks to address gaps in how law enforcement manages these sensitive calls within the community.
This official policy review addresses the current training gap where specialized mental health intervention protocols are standard for SWAT and select units but not for all patrol officers. The findings will determine how procedures are updated.
The players
Karen Bass
The Mayor of Los Angeles who is overseeing the administrative review of city public safety policies.
Los Angeles Police Department
The law enforcement agency currently undergoing an external audit of its mental health crisis response training.
The details
The review focuses specifically on existing training protocols for handling encounters with individuals experiencing mental health crises. Currently, specialized mental health intervention training is limited to specific divisions, such as SWAT, rather than being a universal requirement for all patrol officers. The audit will examine how these policies shape officer response and decision-making during high-stress interactions.
Timeline
September 24, 2026: Mayor Karen Bass ordered the outside review of mental health training policies.
Health Landscape
This initiative represents a localized shift in how municipal governments evaluate the intersection of public safety and behavioral health. It reflects a broader institutional movement to standardize crisis intervention training across police forces.
Residents should pay close attention to updates regarding local crisis response capabilities and community mental health services. If you have concerns about existing police interaction policies, these are topics worth discussing with your local city council representative.
The takeaway
This policy review highlights the critical role of specialized crisis training in public safety interactions. Readers should familiarize themselves with available mental health resources and crisis hotlines in Los Angeles to prepare for potential emergencies.
Further reading
For more on local support systems and clinical resources, explore our Mental Health section.
Live Poll
Should all patrol officers receive specialized training for responding to mental health crises?
