[KerrAvon]

Alternatively, why do you need cops for those situations? It seems like they might do more harm than good confronting already erratic person; there's a long, public history at this point of cops killing people by subduing them inappropriately. The situation has to be pretty extreme for you to actually need physical force to subdue someone. It happens, but it seems like these studies are telling us it's extremely rare.

[ceejayoz]

Plus the confounding factor that cops showing up to a mental health crisis can cause it to escalate.