SPD Captain speaks on 2024 Mental Health Calls

Sheridan Police Department Captain Tom Ringley made an appearance on Sheridan Media’s Public Pulse to speak on the SPD’s response to the mental health call’s of 2024. 

The Captain said the SPD responds to these calls to ensure the safety of everyone involved.

Capt. T. Ringley 

The need to assess the mental state and intention of individuals is a routine requirement of officers performing enforcement and investigative functions. But Ringley emphasized to the public that if no crime is being committed and no threat to the public or the individual is present, this is where the SPD response legally concludes.

The Captain said mental illness is quite often difficult to define in a given individual. SPD officers are not mental health professionals and are not expected to make judgments of mental or emotional disturbance but rather to recognize behavior that is potentially destructive and/or dangerous to self or others. Usually the SPD response involves efforts to help a person in crisis. 

In 2024, the SPD responded to 734 total mental health call incidents. Of those incidents 499 were simple welfare checks. Individuals suffering from a mental health crisis but were not suicidal account for 119 responces. Individuals in a suicidal state account for 100 of the calls in 2024. Twelve calls were in response to suicide attempts. And the SPD responded to four  suicides in Sheridan during the year.  

Captain Ringley wishes the public to know if no threat to human life, property or public welfare is present, mental health disabilities and those suffering from mental health crises are not committing a crime. The SPD alerts these individuals to the mental health resources available and will remain with them only if requested. Ringley reminds the public that mental health calls are health related instances, officers ensure the safety of everyone involved and the public. Officers may remain on scene, but at a safe distance so as to not escalate the situation.    

Capt. T. Ringley

The SPD Captain does recommend calling the SPD dispatch center if the individual in crisis is threatening their own life or the life of others. 

The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline offers 24/7 call, text and chat access to trained crisis counselors. Simply call or text 988—or chat online at 988Lifeline.org to be connected with care and support during a mental health or substance use crisis.