I hope the "new approaches" he refers to is not the Community Policing. That is NOT new, it was a successful program that seemed to work but then it disappeared, WHY? Re-establish it! Good mind set for officers. Set up more of the "mini" stations (nothing fancy, can be small) have them located in troubled areas. 
Have mandatory training specific to the mentally ill. How to approach, de-escalate, reduce the threat effect of police contacting them. Give officers a reason to pay attention and remember this training. Whatever is being done now is not enough.
Update or establish better training on the use of verbal communication in all contacts with all citizens, including how to handle name calling, and other "button" pushing that officers are subjected to in stressful situations. 
Re-train or have current training evaluated by outside sources on cultural diversity training.
Educate and advertise that applications for the 2018 Spring Citizens Academy will be available in November 2017.