The sheriff’s change in policy is the result of a federal appeals court ruling in July. The appellate decision meant that two Las Vegas police officers must face excessive force claims for the death of a mentally ill man after they responded to a 911 call from him and restrained him by kneeling on his back, Courthouse News Service reported.

The decision follows a recent ruling by the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, which found police use of force in such situations unconstitutional.

The Sacramento County Sheriff's Office has announced that deputies will no longer respond to mental health calls unless a crime is being committed, citing a recent ruling from the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals that held law enforcement officers liable for the death of a man in mental distress.