Minnesota Star Tribune

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

about the writers

Jennifer Bjorhus

Reporter

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

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Kelly Smith

News team leader

Kelly Smith is a news editor, supervising a team of reporters covering Minnesota social services, transportation issues and higher education. She previously worked as a news reporter for 16 years.

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MaryJo Webster

Data Editor

MaryJo Webster is the data editor for the Minnesota 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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