Compassionate policing — a practice that teaches law enforcement to recognize the signs of a mental health crisis, de-escalate a situation, and connect individuals to community supports — is the topic for a special two-part presentation this month.

Clallam Mosaic, along with Studium Generale, Magic of Cinema, and ʔaʔk̓ʷustəƞáwt̓xʷ House of Learning-PC Longhouse, will present a special Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month screening and panel discussion on the topic in March.

The screenings and the discussion are free and open to the public.

Screenings of “Ernie & Joe: Crisis Cops” are set for: 5 p.m. Monday, March 8; 9 a.m. on Tuesday, March 9; 2 p.m. on Wednesday, March 10, and 10 a.m. Thursday, March 11.

Directed by Jenifer McShane, the 2019 film follows two police officers with the San Antonio Texas Department’s Mental Health Unit. The film follows the officers in their daily encounters with people in crisis. Event organizers describe the production as “an intimate portrait of officers who are helping to change the way police respond to mental health calls.”

To join the film via Zoom, go to us02web.zoom.us/j/84978233334 (meeting ID: 849 7823 3334).

Clallam Mosaic, the organization hosting the screenings, serves people who have developmental disabilities through recreation, art in many forms, education, and social activities. Founded in 1998, Clallam Mosaic is “an inclusive community made up of a leadership team, instructors, Community Guides, volunteers and participants of all ages.”

Welcoming audience members to the screenings will be Clallam Mosaic executive director Priya Jayadev, programs/communication director Catherine McKinney and board president Bonne Smith.

At 12:30 p.m. on Thursday, March 11, join a Studium Generale presentation for a discussion on compassionate policing led by Clallam Mosaic. Joining in the discussion will be: Terry Barrett, a parent advocate working to improve education, housing, and emergency services for people with developmental disabilities; Sequim Police Department Chief Sheri Crane; Port Angeles Chief of Police Brian Smith, and REdisCovery Community Change Agent Amy Miller.

To join the discussion, go to us02web.zoom.us/j/82419155703 (meeting ID: 824 1915 5703).