Oklahoma Failure To Provide Community-Based Behavioral Health Supports, Plus Oklahoma City Police Practices Result In Unnecessary Institutional Placements

Oklahoma unnecessarily institutionalizes, or places at serious risk of unnecessary institutionalization, adults with behavioral health disabilities in the Oklahoma County area, in violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) according to an investigation by the Department of Justice (DOJ). The state also does not provide sufficient community-based services to prevent unnecessary institutionalization. For many in the Oklahoma County area, the Oklahoma City Police Department (OKCPD) is the only entity responding to 911 calls for a behavioral health issue.

The DOJ released its findings in “Investigation of Oklahoma, Oklahoma City, and Oklahoma City Police Department” on January 3, 2025 . . .