Last Updated on August 6, 2023, 2:52 AM | Published: November 18, 2022
OKLAHOMA CITY — Thursday, the United States Justice Department announced that it is launching an investigation into Oklahoma’s mental health service system, especially in Oklahoma County.
As a part of the sweeping investigation, the City of Oklahoma City and the Oklahoma City Police Department (OKCPD) are being investigated for their response to what the USDOJ sees as a mental health crisis in the state.
According to a news release issued Thursday:
“The investigation will examine whether Oklahoma fails to provide community-based mental health services to people in Oklahoma County, leading to unnecessary admissions to psychiatric facilities and police contact.”
“The investigation will also examine Oklahoma City’s systems for responding to people experiencing behavioral health crises, including through the 911 call center and OKCPD.”
“The Civil Rights Division is committed to ensuring appropriate responses to behavioral health crises and protecting the civil rights of people with mental health disabilities,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division.
Authority
The USDOJ said that they are launching the investigation under the following acts:
- Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act
- Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994
The Americans with Disabilities Act prohibits disability discrimination by state and local governments.
The Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994 prohibits state and local governments from engaging in a pattern or practice of conduct by law enforcement officers that deprives individuals of rights protected by the Constitution or federal law.
Response
Later in the day Thursday, the Oklahoma City Police Department issued a short response. This is the whole of the press release:
The Oklahoma City Police Department was notified this morning that the United States Department of Justice (USDOJ) is opening an investigation into how we, as a police department, handle calls involving citizens with behavioral health disabilities. We have not been provided specific information regarding details of the investigation.
Oklahoma City Police Chief Wade Gourley said, “We intend to cooperate with the USDOJ and look forward to working with them toward the goal of providing the safest and most effective ways of responding to these types of calls.”
As a police department, we strive to always provide the best service possible to the community we serve.
Watch for continuing coverage
Free Press will continue to cover this in detail with multiple articles in coming days and months. Watch this space.
Founder, publisher, and editor of Oklahoma City Free Press. Brett continues to contribute reports and photography to this site as he runs the business.
