Mayor Karen Bass issued an executive directive on September 24, 2026, mandating the Los Angeles Police Department to conduct a thorough review of its procedures for encounters with individuals experiencing mental illness and to broaden crisis‑intervention training for all officers. The order signals the city’s intent to overhaul how law enforcement responds to mental‑health crises, a subject that has drawn repeated criticism from community advocates and oversight bodies.
The directive calls for a systematic assessment of current protocols, identification of gaps, and recommendations for policy adjustments. It also requires the development of an expanded training curriculum that incorporates de‑escalation techniques, cultural competency, and collaboration with mental‑health professionals. The city’s Department of Public Safety will oversee the implementation timeline and report progress to the mayor’s office.
Officials noted that the move follows a series of high‑profile incidents in which the LAPD’s handling of mental‑health calls was questioned. Over the past several years, the department has been under scrutiny for perceived shortcomings in distinguishing between criminal activity and medical emergencies, leading to calls for reform from advocacy groups and city council members. Earlier efforts included pilot programs with crisis teams and limited training modules, but critics argued those measures were insufficient.
Mayor Bass emphasized that the new review aims to align police response with best practices used in other major cities, where specialized crisis units have shown reduced use of force and improved outcomes for individuals in distress. The LAPD is expected to coordinate with local hospitals, behavioral health agencies, and community organizations to ensure that officers have access to appropriate resources during emergencies.
The executive directive represents the latest step in a broader city initiative to address mental‑health challenges within the public safety framework. While the exact timeline for the review and training rollout has not been set, the mayor’s office indicated that findings will be shared with the public as they become available, signaling a commitment to transparency and continued reform.
The policy shift arrives as Los Angeles seeks to balance public safety responsibilities with the growing demand for compassionate, effective mental‑health crisis interventions, positioning the city to evaluate and potentially reshape its approach to these complex situations.