A GREEN BAY MOTHER IS FIGHTING FOR MANDATORY CRISIS INTERVENTION TRAINING FOR ALL POLICE OFFICERS AFTER UNTRAINED OFFICERS KILLED HER SON DURING A ROUTINE WELLNESS CHECK.
Dear Tory Lowe
My name is Toni Biegert and I would like to talk about MANDATORY crisis intervention training for all police officers in Green Bay/Brown County. Right now it is on the books but voluntary only. Making CIT training MANDATORY would save many lives.
My son Joseph R. Biegert was going through a mental health crisis when I called the Green Bay non emergency number to do a wellness check on him at his apartment. That day was the last time I’ll ever hear my sons voice. My son was depressed, but he was never known to be violent ever in his life, and saw the police as a symbol of safety. Pass wellness checks would show this. Total wellness checks for Joseph 10.
I believe if those officers were trained to handle these types of situations my Son would be Alive. Most people with mental illness who find themselves in a crisis situation or breakdown are absolutely in a delicate state, and the way they are treated by those around them often determines whether or not the situation is peaceful or chaotic. They need kindness, patience, and understanding.
We need Mandatory CIT. We could make a difference by making sure this won’t happen to anyone else in the future. Making CIT mandatory will help thousands who suffer from mental illnesses. I don’t want to see another family destroyed over this kind of loss and tragedy, and I don’t want to see another mother have to bury her child.
Please let’s come together and make this change. It is just changing one word…. from Voluntary to Mandatory!
Sincerely
Toni
Click link to see video.
TORY LOWE 