DeKalb County Public Safety Director Cedric Alexander plans to require more mental health training for officers and outside investigations of fatal shootings by police.
Alexander is seeking the changes after the recent police-involved shooting deaths of Anthony Hill, who witnesses said was nude and crawling outside his Chamblee apartment complex, and Kevin Davis, who had called 911 to report an assault on his girlfriend.
Alexander told DeKalb commissioners Tuesday wants all current and incoming officers to complete 40 hours of Crisis Intervention Team training, which helps them recognize signs of behavioral problems caused by mental illness or substance abuse. The officer who shot Hill, Robert Olsen, had gone through the training in 2009.
Additional training for officers has been considered for months, even before the deaths of Hill this month and Davis in December, Alexander said.
Alexander also said he would ask the GBI or other outside agencies to handle independent inquiries anytime a police-related fatal shooting occurs. The GBI is currently investigating both Hill’s and Davis’ cases.
“For us as a police department, we have a responsibility to continue to engage and make sure the things we do are open and fair and transparent to the people we serve,” Alexander said.
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