San Jose faces legal heat over mental health crisis calls

April 11, 2026 - 21:44

A coalition of civil rights groups has intensified its legal battle against the city of San Jose, challenging a long-contested practice of dispatching police officers to mental health crisis calls instead of specialized care teams. The lawsuit alleges the city's current system violates the Americans with Disabilities Act by failing to provide an appropriate, non-police response for individuals experiencing psychiatric emergencies.

Advocates argue that sending armed officers to such sensitive situations can escalate trauma, increase stigma, and lead to unnecessary use of force or incarceration for people who primarily need medical care. They are pushing for the city to fully fund and deploy a robust, 24/7 alternative response model staffed by mental health clinicians and crisis counselors.

The legal action highlights a growing national debate on reimagining public safety and follows years of local advocacy for reform. Proponents of change stress that a health-centered approach is not only safer for individuals in crisis but also frees up police resources to focus on criminal matters. The city now faces mounting pressure to settle the litigation by committing to a fundamental restructuring of its emergency response protocols for behavioral health calls.