Why aren't the police better trained at handling mentally ill people?

It really has nothing to do with police that's why. We deinstitutionalized the mental health system back years ago. Don't be mistaken.. this was a good thing because they were known for committing atrocities in those old asylums. It was because of the belief system that the mentally ill were "broken" or even people just born with birth defects or speech impairments were thought to be "ill." Well the tearing down of that system never got replaced because of politicians. The jail being used to house them was born.

That and mostly profit driven just like big pharma, it's the same practice. I highly doubt a PTSD veteran living on the streets can get as better care than let's say a doctor with anxiety.

Maybe the cops can handle situations better but I don't think it should really be their job. I think their job is to enforce laws and we simply need to replace a system that was broken a long time ago that we never got around to. Literally we just said "fuck it."