Deshi Tribune Report:
A 22-year-old man in Queens, Jabez Chakraborty, was critically injured by police during a mental health crisis, raising concerns about the effectiveness of crisis response training. When his family called 911 on January 26, Officer Tyree White, trained in crisis intervention and certified in the NYPD Crisis Intervention Team, responded. White had completed specialized training in de-escalation and handling involuntary mental health removals.
Inside the Chakraborty home, Jabez, armed with a large kitchen knife, advanced toward the officer. Within 16 seconds, White fired four shots, critically wounding Jabez, who remains hospitalized and now faces an attempted assault charge.
The NYPD emphasizes crisis training to prevent violent encounters with emotionally disturbed individuals. Thousands of such calls each year are resolved without force, often resulting in the individual agreeing to hospital transport or leaving with family.
However, records reviewed by The City show that since 2019, at least eight incidents involving crisis-trained officers resulted in shootings or Taser use, with six fatalities. These incidents have intensified calls for reducing police involvement in mental health emergencies.
Mayor Zohran Mamdani has proposed a Department of Community Safety to send non-police responders to appropriate calls, while expanding programs like B-HEARD, which dispatch mental health professionals to non-violent situations.
Despite alternative programs, most 911 mental health calls—about 86 per cent in the first half of 2026—still involve police because dispatchers classify them as potentially violent. Experts say police will continue to be needed in many cases, making crisis intervention training crucial.
The NYPD now has over 22,000 officers trained in crisis response, covering communication, de-escalation, mental health law, and simulations for various mental disorders. Additional classes teach tactical responses and safe disarming of individuals in crisis.
The incident highlights the challenge of balancing public safety with effective mental health response and underscores ongoing efforts to improve crisis intervention practices.
(Courtesy: The City)
