Police shooting of man with psychiatric disability raises mental health concerns

Following the police shooting that resulted in the death of a mentally ill man who attacked his family last Sunday (Sep 15), some, including the deceased’s family, have questioned whether there were better ways to handle the situation.

The police stated that the circumstances were urgent and left them no choice.

Paul Yip Siu-fai, member of the Advisory Committee on Mental Health, today described the incident as a tragedy for both the deceased's family and the police. 

He suggested that if officers had known the suspect was mentally ill, or had better defensive strategies, they might not have needed to use lethal force.

Yip stressed the importance of improving societal knowledge and attitudes toward mental health patients, believing that better community support and more accepting attitudes could help prevent such tragedies.

While he recognized that the police are well-trained, he thought that officers could sometimes use protective gear to manage dangerous situations, without resorting to shooting.

A police constable last Sunday night (Sep 15) shot dead an armed 38-year-old mentally ill man who had attacked his wife and mother before charging at officers at a rooftop flat on Kam Ping Street in North Point.