with the same manner and conduct as if they were dealing with a hardened criminal, Weingust said. "In dealing with mentally disturbed people and knowing they are mentally unstable, they should respect the person first."

Jardine-Douglas's family has put forward recommendations which include asking the jury to suggest officers be trained to talk to mentally ill people in a "calm and civilized manner," and use the "least lethal option possible" if force is required.

Eligon's family echoed that call among its 32 proposed recommendations to the jury.

"Officers must, where feasible, try de-escalation attempts, whether there's an edged weapon or not," said family lawyer Peter Rosenthal, who recommended police refrain from using their firearms as long as possible.

Eligon was 29 when he died on a quiet residential street in February 2012,fatal shootings told the inquest they felt they had no choice but to pull the trigger.

The family of Klibingaitis, which has been representing itself throughout the inquest, suggested working together on all fronts was key.

In Klibingaitis's case, the 52-year-old called 911 herself in October 7 of 2011 — saying she was going to commit a crime — before she confronted officers with a knife in her hand.

"It is and remains a big challenge trying to figure out how this unforeseen event did unfold," said Lili Steer, one of Klibingaitis's three surviving sisters.

"We need to figure it out...the antidote to this big problem, to this illness, is compassion, and understanding."

The family suggested, among many recommendations, bringing together experts in psychiatry and use of force to research better ways in