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In early September, Salem police officer Jonathan McNichols approached Peter Leonard, a homeless man who was apparently having a mental health crisis.

Records show that the officer dismissed warning signs of his mental instability, and ignored agency policy by seeking to detain him. The resulting confrontation ended with Leonard’s hospitalization and arrest.

Read Salem Reporter’s investigation below.

Here’s some of today’s news. You can find all of our stories anytime by heading to our website.

Drifted into the system: Salem police restrain, jail man in apparent crisis
Salem police suspected Peter Leonard may have been having a mental health crisis. They wanted to detain him anyway, triggering a confrontation that resulted in Leonard’s hospitalization as well as…
Drifted into the system: Salem police restrain, jail man in apparent crisis
Salem police suspected Peter Leonard may have been having a mental health crisis. They wanted to detain him anyway, triggering a confrontation that resulted in Leonard’s hospitalization as well as…
After large pandemic drop, Salem sees more high schoolers on track to graduate
New state data shows the share of local freshmen completing one quarter of credits required for a diploma rose to 78% last school year after falling to 70% in 2021.…
After large pandemic drop, Salem sees more high schoolers on track to graduate
New state data shows the share of local freshmen completing one quarter of credits required for a diploma rose to 78% last school year after falling to 70% in 2021.…
LISTEN IN: What triggered the resignation of Salem’s mayor
Take a few moments to get the inside scoop on stories produced by your local news team at Salem Reporter. Click and listen anytime.
LISTEN IN: What triggered the resignation of Salem’s mayor
Take a few moments to get the inside scoop on stories produced by your local news team at Salem Reporter. Click and listen anytime.

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