Uncle Fred is outside, acting strangely and shouting inappropriate things at anyone nearby.
Someone calls the police. They come and approach Fred. He is uncooperative and verbally threatening.
The family and close friends know that Fred has mental issues. They also know that he has never harmed anyone, not even himself. Family and friends are not with him at this moment. He has gone out by himself.
The police do not know any of this. They can’t tell if Fred is drunk, on drugs, violent – or what.
What should the police do? What are their options to safeguard the neighborhood, de-escalate the situation, and safeguard Fred?
This situation gets more serious when there are people nearby seemingly threatened by Fred’s behavior.
Now, the Mobile Police Department has a video simulator to present different situations of interaction with mental patients and the options available to police.
The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) of Alabama was in Mobile on Monday to see a first-hand demonstration of the new technology, the “Apex Officer VR Training Platform.” It is designed to improve how local officers respond to mental health crises.
Using a grant from NAMI of Alabama, mental health provider AltaPointe purchased the platform.
Mobile Mayor Sandy Stimpson made this observation Monday: “This top-of-the-line virtual reality training simulator allows officers to experience a wide range of scenarios in immersive environments. The scenarios on the Apex Officer platform adapt based on an officer’s decisions, actions and commands. That’s what makes it instrumental for de-escalation and crisis intervention training.”
“As part of the City of Mobile’s growing partnership with AltaPointe, the Apex Officer platform is available for routine MPD training and any officer seeking additional training in these specialized areas," he added. "This incredible tool helps our officers adapt to the challenges of modern policing and better equips them to support citizens dealing with mental health crises. Ultimately, that makes officers and citizens safer.”
“We are grateful to AltaPointe for their continued partnership with our Department of Public Safety and to NAMI of Alabama for supporting this critical work in Mobile," said Stimpson.
Most people, especially young people, have seen or played video games that simulate wars, contests and other interactions. The new law enforcement simulator is based on similar technology, but it is not a game. Mental health interventions are serious—they can be deadly serious.
Jim ‘Zig’ Zeigler writes about Alabama’s people, places, events, groups and prominent deaths. He is a former Alabama Public Service Commissioner and State Auditor. You can reach him for comments at ZeiglerElderCare@yahoo.com.
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