Ernie & Joe is a documentary film that follows the lives of two police officers, Ernie Stevens and Joe Smarro, who are part of the San Antonio Police Department's mental health unit. The officers' main job is to respond to mental health-related 911 calls, where they attempt to de-escalate the situation and offer a different approach to traditional policing.
Through their daily interactions with individuals struggling with mental illness, Ernie and Joe provide a unique perspective on the challenges of policing in the United States. They work to divert people away from the criminal justice system and towards mental health treatment, often connecting them with community resources.
The film also delves into the personal lives of Ernie and Joe, chronicling their own struggles with mental health issues and the impact their work has on their lives.
Ernie & Joe was directed by Jenifer McShane and premiered at the South by Southwest film festival. The film has been praised for its humanistic approach to policing and its ability to spark conversations about the role of law enforcement in mental health crisis situations.