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After Gun Incident, DOH Cites Psychiatric Hospital

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Oct 29, 2009 9:50 am US/Central

After Gun Incident, DOH Cites Psychiatric Hospital

ST. PAUL (AP) ― An incident involving an officer's gun at a state-run psychiatric hospital is raising questions about the use of force during police interventions at those facilities.
  
The Minnesota Department of Health recently cited Community Behavioral Health Hospital in Annandale because a patient in a locked unit grabbed a police officer's gun during an altercation in April.
  
A Department of Health investigation found that staff "did not assure a safe environment" when the officer entered the area with his gun.
  
Minneapolis police Sgt. Steve Wickelgren says officers can often diffuse such situations without using force, but they should be able to bring weapons and the officer should be responsible if something goes wrong.
  
The National Alliance on Mental Health Minnesota's executive director Sue Abderholden says psychiatric units should be weapon-free.

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