PORT ANGELES — Compassionate policing — a practice that teaches law enforcement to recognize the signs of a mental health crisis, de-escalate a situation, and connect individuals to community supports — is the topic of a special two-part presentation next week.
Clallam Mosaic — along with Studium Generale, Magic of Cinema, and House of Learning-PC Longhouse — will present a special Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month screening and a panel discussion on the topic.
The screenings and the discussion are free and open to the public. Screenings of “Ernie & Joe: Crisis Cops” are set for: 5 p.m. Monday, 9 a.m. on Tuesday; 2 p.m. Wednesday and 10 a.m. Thursday.
At 12:30 p.m. Thursday, Studium Generale will host a discussion on compassionate policing led by Clallam Mosaic.
Joining in the discussion will be Terry Barrett, a parent advocate working to improve education, housing and emergency services for people with developmental disabilities; Sequim Police Chief Sheri Crane; Port Angeles Police Chief Brian Smith, and REdisCovery Community Change Agent Amy Miller.
The film, directed by Jenifer McShane and released in 2019, follows two police officers with the San Antonio Texas Department’s Mental Health Unit in their daily encounters with people in crisis.
Event organizers describe the production as “an intimate portrait of officers who are helping to change the way police respond to mental health calls.”
Welcoming audience members to the screenings will be Clallam Mosaic executive director Priya Jayadev, programs/communication director Catherine McKinney and board president Bonne Smith.
To join the film via Zoom, go to us02web.zoom.us/j/84978233334 and use meeting ID 849 7823 3334. To join the discussion, go to us02web.zoom.us/j/82419155703 and use meeting ID 824 1915 5703.
Clallam Mosaic, the organization hosting the screenings, serves people who have developmental disabilities through recreation, art in many forms, education and social activities. Founded in 1998, Clallam Mosaic is “an inclusive community made up of a leadership team, instructors, Community Guides, volunteers and participants of all ages.”
