Mental health training for police on hold

Chicago Police Officers can take special training that teaches how to respond to mental health crisis. But most of the classes are on hold, because the program relies on state cash.

By Shannon Heffernan

Clark Weber works as a role play actor for a program that trains police officers to handle mental health calls.

There are everyday people whose lives are changing as a result of the state’s budget problems. We’re collecting stories of the people Caught in the Middle.

Chicago Police Officers can take a special training that teaches them how to respond to mental health crisis. As part of that training they practice their new skills by role-playing with people who have a mental illness. But most of the classes are on hold, because the program relies on state cash that isn’t coming through. Clark Weber is one of the role players for the training.

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