Good Intentions, but at what cost?

The idea of pairing law enforcement officers with social service specialists when responding to mental health crises is rooted in compassion and common sense. LB706, introduced by Sen. Terrell McKinney, builds on this premise by proposing that social workers or other qualified professionals accompany officers on calls flagged as involving individuals in mental distress. We agree: law enforcement officers are asked to do too much, often serving as first responders, mental health counselors, and mediators—all within a single shift. The idea of giving them professional support in the field is one of the few truly constructive concepts to emerge from the chaotic defund-the-police movement.

The benefits of this approach are easy to imagine. With the right support, people in crisis may be stabilized without force, diverted from jail or the emergency room and connected to services that can lead to long-term improvement. Police, in turn, could focus on maintaining safety while relying on trained specialists to navigate complex emotional terrain. It’s a noble vision—and in theory, a mutually beneficial one.

But noble visions often falter in the face of logistical reality. Contrary to the assumptions behind LB706, law enforcement officers already receive training in de-escalation techniques and mental health awareness. Many departments have established relationships with local mental health providers and utilize existing frameworks to address behavioral health emergencies. The bill implies a deficiency that many departments are actively working to correct—and in many cases, already have.

More concerning is the question of how such a system would work on the ground. Dispatchers—often under immense pressure—would be asked to make split-second decisions about whether a call qualifies as a “mental health priority.” In many cases, it’s only after officers arrive that the true nature of a situation becomes clear. Adding another layer of screening, and another category of emergency response, raises questions about liability, misclassification, and delay.

...And then there’s the issue of workforce. In Southwest Nebraska, and indeed across most of rural Nebraska, law enforcement agencies are already short-staffed and struggling to recruit. So where will the trained social workers come from? The proposal doesn’t just create a new program—it creates a new mandate, with penalties for departments that fail to comply. That’s a high bar to clear for communities already stretched thin. It risks punishing those who lack the staffing or infrastructure to implement a good idea, setting them up for failure rather than offering support.

Even if the state provides the necessary training and oversight, the bill will either require significant new funding or will siphon resources from existing law enforcement budgets. At a time when small departments are competing for every dollar—and every applicant—this is not a trivial concern.

We respect the intent behind LB706 and share the desire to protect vulnerable individuals while easing the burden on law enforcement. Good intentions, however, are not enough. The path forward should be guided by partnerships, pilot programs, and funding incentives—not sweeping mandates backed by penalties. Without a practical plan for rural implementation, the risk is clear: the law may become just another unfunded mandate, more useful for speeches than for solutions.