The Austin Police Association is urging the Austin Police Department to stop responding to mental health calls following a recent incident that resulted in the tragic death of Mauris DeSilva. The call to action comes after Christopher Taylor, a former APD officer, was sentenced to two years in prison for his involvement in the deadly shooting of DeSilva back in 2019.
The incident unfolded when police received multiple 911 calls reporting DeSilva walking around his downtown condo complex with a knife to his throat. Upon arrival, officers found DeSilva outside of an elevator in a common area of the complex and instructed him to drop the knife. Despite the commands, Taylor and another officer fired their weapons, ultimately leading to DeSilva’s death.
As of Wednesday, Taylor is no longer employed by APD and is currently out of jail on an appellate bond. Michael Bullock, president of the Austin Police Association, expressed his concerns in a video statement, highlighting the need for a change in the department’s response to mental health crises. Bullock emphasized that police officers are not mental health experts and should not be solely responsible for handling such delicate situations.
Chief Lisa Davis of the Austin Police Department also addressed the tragic event, expressing her sadness for the community and the department’s loss. While Davis did not comment on Taylor’s actions specifically, she emphasized the department’s commitment to reevaluating its training and practices to prevent similar incidents in the future.
Calls to Stop Responding to Mental Health Calls
The Austin Police Association is calling for a significant shift in how the Austin Police Department handles mental health crises. The recent sentencing of former officer Christopher Taylor has sparked a debate within the community about the role of law enforcement in responding to such situations.
Concerns About Expertise and Safety
Michael Bullock, president of the APA, highlighted the lack of mental health expertise among police officers and the potential risks involved in these encounters. He emphasized the need for other agencies, such as Travis County and the District Attorney’s Office, to take on the responsibility of responding to mental health calls to ensure the safety of both individuals in crisis and law enforcement officers.
Commitment to Training and Evaluation
Chief Lisa Davis reiterated the department’s commitment to continuously improving its training and practices to better address mental health crises in the future. While acknowledging the challenges faced by officers in these situations, Davis emphasized the importance of learning from past incidents to prevent similar tragedies from occurring.
As the community grapples with the aftermath of this tragic event, the calls for change in how mental health calls are handled by law enforcement continue to grow louder. It remains to be seen how the Austin Police Department and other relevant agencies will respond to these urgent calls for reform.