Law enforcement and the mentally ill

Sheriff’s Sgt. Annadennise Briz, left, and Deputy Gabriela Ververa walk a man into Exodus, a mental health urgent care center near L. A. County-USC Medical Center. (Francine Orr / Los Angeles Times)

June 19, 2016 9:14 PM PT

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At a time when law enforcement is under intense public scrutiny for high-profile shootings of civilians, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department is one of many agencies nationwide looking to better equip officers to handle the mentally ill people they face on the streets every day.

Mental health evaluation team psychiatric social worker Brittaney Dennis, left and Deputy Gabriela Vervara at Rose Hills Memorial Park in Whittier, where a man arrived with a gun at the grave of his son.

(Francine Orr / Los Angeles Times)

Annadennise Briz listens to a radio call in her office in South El Monte. The L.A. County Sheriff’s Department is the first in the L.A. area to deploy mental evaluation teams.

(Francine Orr / Los Angeles Times)