10 Travis deputies get training in handling mental health cases

Deputy Wes James stepped into a classroom at the Travis County sheriff ’s office academy in Del Valle on Friday and came face to face with a woman who told him she was seeing demons and needed his help.

She paced back and forth and fumbled with her hands as she spoke to creatures who weren’t there, then told James they were telling her to hurt people. James stayed calm and made sure he understood what the woman was saying. He slowly convinced her that he could keep her safe, and she agreed to go with him.

The woman was actually Keely Adcock, a Taylor police corporal who helps train law enforcement officers on how to approach people with mental health issues in the field. While it was only a scenario, Adcock meant to be convincing, and gave the deputy a good idea of an encounter he could have any day on the job.

Friday marked the end of a weeklong training program for 26 officers from agencies throughout Central Texas to earn mental health certifications.

James, a 14-year veteran of the sheriff’s office, was one of 10 deputies who participated in the training.

He said he’s seen mental health calls rise through his years in law enforcement. Now working as a student resource officer at Manor High School, James said problems such as teen suicide are often on his mind.

After Friday’s training, all 16

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LYNDA M. GONZALEZ Travis County sheriff’s Deputy Charles Snoddy takes part in mental health training Friday at the sheriff’s office with Taylor police Cpl. Keely Adcock.