The Acts of Convention

House of Deputies

The House of Deputies Committee on Social Justice and International Policy presented its Report #21 on Resolution B024 (Police Killings and Mental Illness) and moved adoption with amendment.

Original Text of Resolution:

(B024)

Resolved, the House of Bishops concurring, That the 79th General Convention of The Episcopal Church, mindful of a growing body of statistics regarding the response of the police to situations involving person suffering from mental illness, and

Further mindful of the Gospel imperative that Christ’s body the Church seek and serve him in the care and protection of those most vulnerable persons in our midst (Matthew 25:35-40),

1. Denounces police killings of unarmed people in mental health crisis and distress;
2. Urges elected officials and other relevant policymakers to implement reforms which mandate that police departments provide compulsory mental health crisis intervention and de-escalation training for all officers who may be called to respond to such situations; and
3. Urges its members at the local, diocesan, and church-wide levels, to advocate for these policies in their various capacities.

Committee Amendment:

Resolved, the House of Bishops concurring, That the 79th General Convention of The Episcopal Church, mindful of a growing body of statistics regarding the response of the police to situations involving persons as followers of Jesus Christ, recognize the increase in the number of law enforcement encounters with our brothers, sisters, and siblings suffering from mental illness, ; and be it further

Resolved, That abiding in the His call to serve Him through the care and service of the least among us (Matthew 25:40). Further mindful of the Gospel imperative that Christ’s body the Church as His followers seek and serve him in the care and protection of those most vulnerable persons in our midst (Matthew 25:35-40), we

1. Denounces police killings of unarmed people Strongly encourage state and local law enforcement departments to seek and utilize alternatives to deadly force when dealing with unarmed citizens, especially those in mental health crisis and distress; and
2. Urges elected officials, governmental agencies and other relevant policymakers law enforcement entities to train and educate law enforcement officers and to implement reforms which mandate that police law enforcement departments provide compulsory mandatory mental health crisis intervention and de-escalation training for all officers who may be called to respond to such situations; and
3. Urges its members at the local, diocesan, and church-wide levels, all Episcopalians to advocate for these policies in their various capacities. mental health crisis intervention training and utilization for all law enforcement officials in local communities.

Motion carried

Resolution adopted with amendment

(Communicated to the House of Bishops in HD Message #209)