Washington County, Oregon Sued Over Law Enforcement Response To Mental Health Crises

On February 5, 2024, Disability Rights Oregon (DRO) sued Washington County alleging that its emergency response system denies an appropriate response to people in a mental health crisis, and constitutes illegal discrimination that violates the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act. For a physical health emergency, the county dispatchers send trained emergency medical technicians (EMTs) and paramedics as first responders. However, for a mental health crisis, the county dispatches armed law enforcement officers, who are often not accompanied by mental health professionals.

DRO alleges that using a police response for a mental health crisis . . .