Number of mentally ill shot by LAPD rose in 2015

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Mar 2, 2016

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Number of mentally ill shot by LAPD rose in 2015

New data reveals almost 40 percent of the people shot by officers in 2015 had an indication of a mental illness, which is the highest number in five years.

Los Angeles Police Chief Charlie Beck speaks as his department releases a broad use-of-force report Tuesday. The report says that when LAPD officers fire at suspects, their targets are disproportionately black or mentally ill.

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New data reveals almost 40 percent of the people shot by officers in 2015 had an indication of a mental illness, which is the highest number in five years.

New data reveals almost 40 percent of the people shot by officers in 2015 had an indication of a mental illness. That's according to a report released by the Los Angeles Police Commission, yesterday.

The LAPD has invested in training for officers who encounter the mentally ill in the field, yet these new numbers are the highest they've been in 5 years.

KPCC's Annie Gilbertson joins A Martinez in studio to talk about the news.

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