Sacramento Police Department officers are training this week to safely interact with people who are under severe mental distress. 

In the past 18 months, Sac PD Officers have shot and killed two men in high-profile cases. The men's families say the men had mental illness and substance abuse problems.

The training includes instruction from psychologists and psychiatrists and an emphasis on de-escalation of encounters.

All officers — including Chief Daniel Hahn — are taking the training this week.

"We want the best possibility for positive outcomes as our officers interact in our community on something we know they're going to deal with every day," Hahn said. 

The department said all 650 officers will be trained by the end of January.

The training will be offered twice a year to new officers and officers coming out of the academy.