I don't dismiss the concept out of hand. In the last few years we have seen too many stories of people in a mental health crisis shot by police who are not trained how to help them. Similarly, schools calling armed police to handle a child who has bitten his chicken finger into the shape of a 'gun' is also not a good option.

That said, I think having people trained in mental health intervention, or school discipline issues would be a good idea to AUGMENT the police, not replace them.