Police need different approach when dealing with the mentally ill, CKDO president says
PRESIDENT OF THE Central Kingstown Development Organisation (CKDO), Leroy Rock, is calling for “a more compassionate and coordinated approach” by the police when responding to incidents involving persons living with mental illness. Rock’s comments follow an incident involving a resident of Redemption Sharpes, known as Louis Mercury, who was reportedly shot multiple times by the police during an encounter.
Rock said he was informed that Mercury had been armed with a knife at the time of the incident. However, he expressed the view that a less force could have been applied.
Rock said he has known Mercury for quite some time and claimed that, despite his mental illness, the elderly man has never physically harmed anyone. According to Rock, Mercury is generally seen walking through the streets and has not been known to be violent.
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