names like laval hall, dontrey hamill, mentally ill, ended up on the wrong side of an officer's gone. in what many even inside law enforcement are calling a crisis in american policing. >> what i can't stress enough, i feel in my heart, this is the future of policing. >> just hours from where jason harrison was killed, a specialized team is working to revolutionize policing from within. they're san antonio's mental health unit. >> she's calling in stating she has depression and she's feeling suicidal. >> reporter: meet patrolman joe smara, ernie stevens. their task to responding with calls involving emotionally disturbed persons anywhere in the city. >> my name's ernie, you called the police? >> i promise i'm not like any police officer you've probably ever met. >> reporter: today it's a young woman who called 911, contemplating suicide. >> have you ever attempted suicide in the past? >> no. >> no? >> i don't even know how to do it. >> you don't have a plan right now? >> no. >> reporter: these officers are experts in what's called crisis intervention training. >> would you say that yo