Migration Catchall

Police being forced to front lines of growing mental health crisis

At a time when police are facing intense scrutiny over the use of force, more law enforcement officials agree with Beckie O'Connor that officers need more training. Yet no one is taking charge.

By Jennifer Bjorhus,

Kelly Smith,

MaryJo Webster and

Richard Tsong-Taatarii

June 8, 2016 at 7:13PM
Beckie O'Connor visited her son Jeff's grave at Lakewood Cemetery in Minneapolis. She said she thinks her son would be alive had police handed the situation differently — and she's determined to get officers trained to do that.
Beckie O’Connor visited her son Jeff’s grave at Lakewood Cemetery in Minneapolis. She said she thinks her son would be alive had police handed the situation differently — and she’s determined to get officers trained to do that. (Dave Braunger — Star Tribune/The Minnesota Star Tribune)

about the writers

Jennifer Bjorhus

Reporter

Jennifer Bjorhus  is a reporter covering the environment for the Star Tribune. 

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Kelly Smith

Reporter

Kelly Smith covers nonprofits/philanthropy for the Star Tribune and is based in Minneapolis. Since 2010, she’s covered Greater Minnesota on the state/region team, Hennepin County government, west metro suburban government and west metro K-12 education.

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MaryJo Webster

Data Editor

MaryJo Webster is the data editor for the Star Tribune. She teams up with reporters to analyze data for stories across a wide range of topics and beats and also oversees a small team of other data journalists.

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Richard Tsong-Taatarii

Photographer

Richard Tsong-Taatarii is an internationally acclaimed documentary photographer who focuses on social issues of underrepresented minorities.

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