Date of Offense
Statement
Officer Jeremy Fortney responded to an individual experiencing an acute mental health crisis. Internal investigation records establish that Officer Fortney failed to implement mandatory departmental protocols regarding vulnerable individuals in mental distress.
Rather than executing standard crisis intervention procedures—such as summoning Mobile Crisis Response Services, coordinating emergency medical transportation, or initiating an involuntary psychiatric hold/evaluation—Officer Fortney improperly transported the individual back to their residence and abandoned them without ensuring secondary medical or psychological care.
Following Officer Fortney's departure from the scene, the unassisted individual engaged in severe self-harm. Emergency medical personnel subsequently responded, and the individual survived the attempt.
Officer Fortney's actions constituted serious dereliction of duty and a breach of official public safety responsibilities:
- Violation of Mental Health Crisis Protocols: Failure to follow mandatory departmental directives governing the safe handling, transport, and medical evaluation of persons in crisis.
- Failure to Render/Seek Aid: Neglecting to request Emergency Medical Services (EMS) or mental health professionals when presented with clear indicators of self-harm risk.
- Improper Disposition of Call: Transporting a vulnerable individual to an unmonitored location and clearing the scene prematurely, directly escalating the hazard to the individual's life.
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