Family questions LCPD crisis intervention-training; expert says more is needed

The family of the 29-year-old man killed in an officer-involved shooting say they hope the department will evaluate officer training when responding to calls related to mental illness.

“As the investigation proceeds, the family hopes that it will include an examination of the adequacy of police training for those who are responding to mental health situations,” said Gavin Clarkson, a spokesman for the Bishop family.

The family called 9-1-1 Friday night seeking help to control their 29-year-old son, James Bishop, who they say had a psychotic break. According to the police department, one officer was injured by the 29-year-old, so another officer shot and killed him.

On Monday morning, police identified Bishop as the man involved.

“We need more top-down emphasis on the importance of quality, measurable training for these medical interventions,” said Ron Gurley, a crisis intervention expert with decades of experience in the private and public sectors.

Gurley told ABC-7 that about one third of Las Cruces police officers have received crisis intervention team (CIT) training. He would not comment on this case specifically, but he said that it can be challenging for officers to respond to calls involving those suffering from mental illness.

“They have to move away from ‘command and control,’ which they’re trained very well to do, to medical intervention,” Gurley said.

Gurley said in addition to more training, officers need as much supervision from management as possible in these cases.

“But even with training, it’s hard for them under pressure to be able to respond to that without adequate supervision of experienced officers,” Gurley said.

A department spokesman declined to comment on the officers’ training, but said it will be addressed at a news conference later this week.

The officer who used deadly force is on paid administrative leave, which is standard policy in an officer-involved shooting.

This is the third officer involved shooting this year and the 15th in the past five years, the spokesman confirmed.