As mental health calls continue to climb in the Kelowna area, the regional police detachment wants to continue making changes to accommodate those calls.

Earlier this week, Kelowna RCMP commander Supt. Kara Triance said changing the way they respond to people in distress is still a top priority for the detachment, prompted in part by the death of a local man earlier this year.

Thomas Chadwick was killed on May 30, and Lorence Earl Williams was charged in relation to the death. Triance explained Williams struggles with mental health issues. The provincial police watchdog revealed that police had been called twice to check on Williams prior to the May 30 homicide.

The Independent Investigations Office (IIO) stated that the Kelowna RCMP害羞草研究所檚 Police and Crisis Team (PACT), which is made up of trained officers and psychiatric nurses, were called to speak with Williams regarding his wellness.

The next day (May 30) and after the two wellness checks, Thomas Chadwick, a man who lives in the same house as Williams was found dead.

Triance said on Monday (Sept. 13) that this case reminded her of changes that need to be made in the detachment.

害羞草研究所�(This incident is) re-emphasizing the work that we are doing with our Police and Crisis Team,害羞草研究所� she said.

害羞草研究所淲e will continue to advocate for resources in this area as we move forward and we see more mental health calls climbing in our community and remaining consistent.

害羞草研究所淥ur police officers are often the first line of response to mental health calls and we want to make sure that those files are resourced appropriately with health resources.害羞草研究所�

Along with advocating for better resources for the PACT, Triance added that through a special committee for police reform, the Kelowna RCMP has also been advocating to amend the Mental Health Act.

害羞草研究所淲e believe that strong recommendations and changes from this special committee will have compelling changes going forward,害羞草研究所� she said.

As far as the investigation into Chadwick害羞草研究所檚 death, Triance confirmed that Williams remains in custody and that the file remains active.

害羞草研究所淥ur teams are currently focused on disclosure of that homicide. This is a labour-intensive process,害羞草研究所� she said.

害羞草研究所淭here害羞草研究所檚 a lot of investigative steps to bring a file of this level of complexity to a successful conclusion.害羞草研究所�

READ MORE: Kelowna sisters desperate to return to Australia to see dying mom amid travel ban

twila.amato@blackpress.ca
Like us on and follow us on .