Lawsuit Filed Against Washington County for Sending Police to Mental Health Emergencies by Disability Rights Advocates

Disability Rights Oregon and the American Civil Liberties Union are taking legal action against Washington County and its emergency dispatch agency for their policy of dispatching police officers to mental Health emergencies instead of health care workers. According to the 61-page legal complaint, this practice results in fatal outcomes, as police officers are not trained or appropriate responders for mental health crises.

DRO CEO Jake Cornett stated, “Police are neither trained nor appropriate responders for someone who has broken their leg and calls 911—and the same holds for someone having a mental health emergency.” The complaint also points out that the crisis teams designated for behavioral health emergencies are either underfunded, understaffed, or not dispatched through the 911 system.

The lawsuit was filed under the Americans with Disabilities Act, alleging that the county’s actions constitute discrimination against people with disabilities. The complaint cites an incident where a 28-year-old, Joshua Wesley, called a suicide hotline and was met with five sheriff’s deputies, leading to a violent altercation and Wesley being charged with a crime. The lawsuit highlights other jurisdictions that have implemented successful mental health first-responder programs, emphasizing the need for reform.

The lawsuit demands that the county ensures mental health professionals are the default first responders for typical mental health emergencies. This legal action sheds light on the importance of appropriate responses to mental health crises and may prompt other jurisdictions to reevaluate their own emergency response policies.

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