ERNIE & JOE: CRISIS COPS
AUDIENCE ENGAGEMENT CAMPAIGN
We work with law enforcement and public safety agencies, mayors, attorneys general and other city officials, hospitals, social services, and behavioral health organizations around the globe to spark dialogue about the culture of policing, training, and how police departments and communities can be better prepared to respond non-violently to people in crisis. We have supported over 125 screenings to date and counting.
Screenings may feature the 95-minute film or a 25-minute version that works well for shorter events. The officers in the film, Ernie Stevens and Joe Smarro, local experts and key stakeholders often participate in post-screening discussions and audience Q&A's.
We hope our screenings and discussions will inspire reflection, bridge-building, and action that will lead to stronger police-community relations, improved mental health outcomes, greater awareness of officer mental health, and law enforcement and behavioral health systems change.
We are currently scheduling virtual events and in-person ones where local, state, and federal guidelines for COVID-19 allow.
If you are interested in hosting Ernie Stevens or Joe Smarro for a virtual or in-person discussion following the film, or have any questions, please contact: eandjoutreach@gmail.com.
To purchase the film for institutional or educational use (for example, ongoing in-class, training use, and/or to add the film to your library collection), please visit our educational distributor ro*co Films/Film Platform.
AUDIENCE FEEDBACK
"An exceptional documentary!
A glimpse into the future of policing... ten out of ten!"
"ERNIE & JOE demonstrates that being open to caring and bringing down barriers can only help the large portion of the population struggling with mental illness every day."
- Retired 30-yr. NYPD Detective
"Amazing movie! Thank you for what you all do.
This is what we need throughout this country: helping others."
- Mental Health Counselor
"There was such genuine compassion and caring from these first responders - a story that needs to be told. The statistics on mental health cases and lack of law enforcement resources is shocking. I cried and laughed out loud."
"I love this film. It humanizes the real issues of citizens with mental illness and addiction interacting with law enforcement. The film shows all sides respectfully and with compassion. There are tough scenes that are powerful and loving, along with lighter moments of Ernie & Joe’s awesome friendship. I can’t wait to see it again."
"Needs to be taught EVERYWHERE!!
This movie could really change things for the better!"
“It really is a remarkable film—beautifully shot and edited, and a wonderful story of what good, humane policing looks like.”
- Kevin Morison, Chief Program Officer, Police Executive Research Forum
“The trust-building dialogue that the officers used was very effective. This is truly the way to go for police departments across the nation, especially now with the focus on police violence against people with mental illness. We need more Ernie and Joes!!”
- Mental Healthcare Advocate
“The documentary humanizes the badge while shining a light on an often taboo subject. They show us that there is another way to respond to mental health crises that don't utilize enforcement and that hope can be found in the most desperate of circumstances.”
- Elisa Howell, Sergeant Denton Police Department
“Powerful film. Very well done, conveying a message that simply cannot be ignored. Delighted that Ernie and Joe agreed to let their work be captured, but even more so that they bared their deepest secrets in their effort to be credible and transparent.”
“Ernie and Joe shows us that law enforcement can make meaningful changes to past practices to better assist people who are in a brain health crisis or have a chronic brain health condition with compassion. This is a powerful film that should be part of any law enforcement agencies' CIT training program for years to come.”
- Officer Todd Gyure, Mental Health Liaison Garland PD
“We, as leaders of police agencies, should urge all of our police officers to watch this film. The value of seeing Ernie and Joe utilizing tools that we teach our officers is more powerful than any training class alone could deliver. Officers need to see, know, and believe they are capable of making remarkable impacts in individuals’ lives, especially in moments of crisis. This film beautifully illustrates in real-time what we teach.”
- Renee Dominguez, Acting Chief of Police New Haven CT
ERNIE & JOE: CRISIS COPS
provides an opportunity to
• Start a dialogue in your community, police department, hospital, etc. about improving the culture and approach to mental health response and 911 calls
• Learn how police can successfully use nonviolent methods to divert people in crisis from jail and into treatment
• Understand what a mental health unit could look like in your community
• Reduce mental health stigma
• Increase understanding of, and compassion for, people with mental health challenges
• Educate those studying or interested in policing, criminal justice and/or mental health
• Spark dialogue about officer wellness and self-care
POTENTIAL AUDIENCES
FOR SCREENINGS INCLUDE:
• Law Enforcement and Public Safety Agencies
• NAMI chapters and other behavioral health organizations
• Mayors or City Managers
• Attorneys General
• Prosecutors
• District Attorneys
• City Councilmembers and State Legislators
• Health care workers
• Social workers
• High school and university students
• Social work, nursing and medical schools
• Veterans organizations
• Professional Conferences
• Corporations
ENGAGEMENT PRESS
State senator uses HBO documentary to push for Crisis Intervention Training in CT police depts
Superb Documentary Shows Us How Police Officers Can Defuse A Mental Health Crisis: Available Now In Your Community
Two local officers selected for new mental health unit
SPREAD THE WORD
Help us get the word out about Ernie & Joe: Crisis Cops and our audience engagement campaign by sharing it with your family, friends and colleagues. Thank you for your support!
Tweet About It:
Have you seen @ernieandjoe yet? An essential film for anyone who shares the goal of improving the culture and approach to mental health response and 911 calls. https://ernieandjoethefilm.com/
The documentary @ernieandjoe is available now for community screenings and trainings! Learn more about bringing this film to your community. https://ernieandjoethefilm.com/
Share on Facebook or Include in Your Newsletter:
ERNIE & JOE: CRISIS COPS is an intimate portrait of two Texas police officers who are helping change the way police respond to mental health calls. The film takes audiences on a personal journey, weaving together their experiences during their daily encounters with people in crisis. These two officers are not your everyday cops. They are part of the San Antonio Police Department’s Mental Health Unit.
If you share the goal of improving the culture and approach to mental health response and 911 calls, get in touch with our campaign, which is partnering with organizations and individuals across the country to host screenings for advocacy, systems change, and awareness: https://ernieandjoethefilm.com/
event resources
This discussion guide provides suggested prompts for group discussion, a letter from the filmmaker, ways to take action in your community, event planning tips and suggestions for virtual events, as well as resources for further learning.
Still photos, posters, biographies and headshots for use in promotional materials.
