Texas Focus: Ernie & Joe Crisis Cops
Texas Spirit Theater | TV-MA | 98 min. | Documentary
June 29, 2022 7:00pm - 9:30pm
Ride along with two San Antonio police officers who are diverting people away from jail and into mental health treatment, one 911 call at a time.
Event Details
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 Ernie and Joe’s 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.
After the screening, Ernie Stevens, who is featured in the documentary, will join us virtually for a panel discussion.
Educators, to receive CPE credit please email Education@TheStoryofTexas.com
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Tickets are $8 for Bullock Museum members and $12 for general admission. Your ticket purchase directly supports the Bullock Museum's exhibitions and educational programming.
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Rating: TV-MA
Starring: Ernie Stevens, Joe Smarro
Director: Jennifer McShane
Runtime: 98 min.
Genre: Documentary
Release year: 2019
Ernie Stevens was born and raised in San Antonio. He has been a police officer for 27 years, 24 with the San Antonio Police Department (SAPD). He was a founding member of the SAPD Mental Health Unit when it began as a pilot program in 2008. He recently earned his bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice.
Through life experience, Toniya Parker developed a passion to heal and support others in their journey toward better mental health. With 30 years in the field, having served in an array of roles, she currently leads outreach programs for communities of color, justice-involved individuals, and the LGBTQI community, as well as youth and families. Ms. Parker is trained in the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Family-to-Family program; connection and family support groups; crisis intervention training, including law enforcement training; and a faith-based program, Bridges to Hope. Parker also trains others in a wide variety of mental health intervention and support programs.
Film programs at the Bullock Museum seek to connect the public with filmmakers and their art that you won't find just anywhere. From Texas-specific titles to films from around the globe, these programs will open up a world of stories and culture for visitors. The Bullock Museum is committed to sharing the work of filmmakers of all backgrounds and identities.
The Texas Spirit Theater located on the Bullock Museum's second floor is one of the most beautiful film experiences in Austin and features multi-sensory special effects such as lightning, rain, and other surprises.
Museum Members enjoy free unlimited IMAX® documentary films, discounts on feature film tickets, free exhibition admission, discounts in the Museum Store, and more. Learn More.
Learn about ticket prices, refund policies, and parking (free after 5 pm). Please note that visitors under age fifteen must be accompanied by someone age sixteen or older. For evening programs, please enter through the Bullock Museum IMAX Theatre.
Mental Health: Mind Matters was produced for North America by the Science Museum of Minnesota in collaboration with Heureka: The Finnish Science Centre.
Sponsored by The Albert and Ethel Herzstein Hall Fund.
Funding has been provided to the Bullock Museum from the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) as part of the American Rescue Plan (ARP) Act of 2021.
The Bullock Museum, a division of the Texas State Preservation Board, is funded by Museum members, donors, and patrons, the Texas State History Museum Foundation, and the State of Texas.
