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TAMPA — Tampa Police Chief Brian Dugan started the news conference with two big numbers.
So far this year, Tampa police officers have responded to more than 5,200 calls involving a person in the throes of some sort of mental health crisis. In the same period, officers have taken about 2,500 people into protective custody under the state’s Baker Act.
Dugan pointed to those statistics Tuesday as he announced a new mental health training program for his officers and 911 dispatchers…
