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Huntsville backs mental health program after fatal police shooting
Updated 11:53 AM;
Today 11:53 AM
Huntsville police officer William Ben Darby took the stand in his own defense during his murder trial at the Madison County Courthouse in downtown Huntsville, Ala. on May 5, 2021.Lee Roop | lroop@al.com
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Leaders in an Alabama city have agreed to support establishment of a new mental health crisis program.
Huntsville City Council members voted unanimously Thursday to back a diversion center that could help people experiencing mental difficulties. The center would be a project of the city, its police and WellStone Behavioral Health.
The vote came days after officer William Darby was convicted of murder in the killing of Jeffrey Parker. The man called 911 in 2018 saying he intended to kill himself. Two other officers talked with Parker as he held a gun to his own head, and evidence showed Darby entered the scene and shot the man after he failed to drop the weapon.
New program to help Huntsville police officers respond during mental health crisis calls
A step is being made toward improving the mental health response of Huntsville police officers with a new program.
Posted: May 14, 2021 6:44 PM
Updated: May 14, 2021 6:51 PM
Posted By: Bridget Divers
A step is being made toward improving the mental health response of Huntsville police officers with a new program, the Co-Response Program.
Thursday night, the Huntsville City Council discussed the new program that would be a collaboration between the Huntsville Police Department, WellStone Behavioral Health and the City of Huntsville to help respond more effectively to mental health crisis situations.