Groups call for independent inquiry into the deaths of mentally ill persons by police

ST GEORGE’S, Grenada (CMC):

Two organisations, including the Grenada Human Rights Association (GHRA), have called for an independent inquiry into the shooting deaths of psychiatrically ill patients by law enforcement personnel..

In a joint statement, the GHRA and the Grenada Association of Professional Social Workers (GAPSW) Inc, said they were concerned at the situation pointing to the most recent shooting of a mentally ill man in St Patrick on January 19 this year.

“Unfortunately, this is not the first incident of a psychiatrically ill patient to be fatally wounded by the police. While we recognise the need for the police to execute their duties in protecting the public and themselves, when responding to urgent situations and having to make swift decisions on how to react, there needs to be greater awareness of the needs of persons with mental health issues,” the organisations said in the statement.

They said that, while they are not apportioning blame, they “are extremely concerned that these vulnerable persons are often acutely distressed at the time” and that “shooting to kill is deemed as the most appropriate intervention.

“It is also disturbing that there has been no further update from the police on this incident. Relatives need to feel confident that, when they request assistance from the police, it will not result in the death of their loved ones,” the two organisations said.

TO EDUCATE

They said, as far as they are aware, there has been no inquiry into the previous shooting deaths of people with psychiatric disorders.

“If the (Royal Grenada Police) Force (RGPF) is to learn and improve practice, change is what needs to occur. We are therefore calling for an independent inquiry to ascertain the facts and to help educate the RGPF to take a more appropriate and sensitive approach in dealing with volatile psychiatrically ill patients in the community.