Local Georgia police could get more funding for MH training

Abstract

The Gainesville, Georgia, Police Department is likely to get new grant funding for mental health and de‐escalation training, The Times reported Jan. 13. The department received just under $35,000 from the state for the same grant last fall. This January, the department is applying for about $185,000, and officials are confident it will be approved for the funds through the 2022 Law Enforcement Training Grant Committee. Chief Jay Parrish presented the application to the Gainesville City Council Jan. 13, saying he would like to continue training without costing taxpayers additional money. The department conducted an average of 30 hours of de‐escalation and mental health training per officer in 2021 on top of other state training requirements, Parrish said. This effort was part of a commitment the department made to the community following protests in 2020 following the murder of George Floyd. Multiple council members said they were proud of the emphasis put on additional training. The department's mental health clinicians, who are funded by separate grant money, create curricula for mental health training, Lt. Justin Martin, the department's training director, said.