News

Actions

Sheriff candidates discuss mental health

Posted at 11:13 PM, Feb 07, 2016
and last updated 2016-02-08 00:13:13-05

TULSA- Nine Tulsa County Sheriff candidates went head to head today in a forum about mental health.

The event was held at the Hardesty Regional Library by the National Alliance of Mental Illness. 

Several questions included what changes would be made in jail, in the field with deputies, and most of the answers from the candidates came down to more training.

Organizers say mental health was a topic they felt needed to be addressed moving into the election.

"There are many people who get into confrontations with law enforcement and mental illness is becoming a criminal issue so we wanted to see how the candidates would address those problems," said Ellen Harris with NAMI Tulsa

Several candidates also discussed the level of empathy they want deputies to have with people in the field moving forward. 

Primary voting for the race starts next month. Voters will head to the polls for the general election in April.

Stay in touch with us anytime, anywhere.

Download our free app for Apple and Android and Kindle devices.

Sign up for newsletters emailed to your inbox. Select from these options: Breaking News, Severe Weather, School Closings, Daily Headlines and Daily Forecasts.

Follow us on Twitter

Like us on Facebook