NCJ Number
64077
Journal
Police Magazine Volume: 3 Issue: 1 Dated: (JANUARY 1980) Pages: 20-25
Date Published
1980
Length
6 pages
Annotation
THIS ARTICLE EXAMINES POLICE PROBLEMS IN DEALING WITH THE EMOTIONALLY ILL, NOTING LACK OF TRAINING, MANPOWER SHORTAGE, AND BUREAUCRACY AS OBSTACLES.
Abstract
CHANGES IN PSYCHOLOGICAL TREATMENT THEORIES, PUBLIC ATTITUDES, AND PRACTICAL POLITICS ARE CITED AS THE REASONS MORE FORMER MENTAL PATIENTS ARE RELEASED. OUTSIDE THE INSTITUTION THE BEHAVIOR OF SUCH PERSONS SOMETIMES BECOMES ABNORMAL, AND BECAUSE OF THE RELUCTANCE OF DOCTORS OR MEDICAL TECHNICIANS TO INTERVENE, THE POLICE ARE CALLED TO HANDLE THEM. THIS ARTICLE EXAMINES THE CYCLE OF PSYCHOTIC BEHAVIOR AND POLICE EFFORTS TO DEAL WITH IT, NOTING THAT THE POLICE DO NOT ALWAYS HAVE TRAINING FOR DEALING WITH THE MENTALLY ILL. POLICE MUST KNOW THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN ECCENTRIC AND CRIMINAL BEHAVIOR TO DECIDE WHETHER TO ARREST OR TO GET TREATMENT. A CALIFORNIA LAW ALLOWS POLICE TO TAKE A PERSON SUSPECTED OF MENTAL INFIRMITY TO STATE SUPPORTED CENTERS IF HE IS A DANGER TO OTHERS, OR HIMSELF, OR IS GRAVELY DISABLED. OTHER STATES HAVE INSTITUTED NEW DEPARTMENTAL PROCEDURES FOR DEALING WITH THE MENTALLY DISTURBED, SUCH AS COURSES IN PSYCHOPATHOLOGY AT THE POLICE ACADEMY, SPECIAL TRAINING FOR SUPERVISORS, AND THE REQUIREMENTS THAT A SUPERVISOR OR EMERGENCY PERSONNEL TRAINED IN THE USE OF CHEMICAL MACE BE CALLED IN TO DEAL WITH VIOLENT PERSONS. DESPITE ATTEMPTS BY SOME POLICE DEPARTMENTS TO PROVIDE FOR CALLS TO HANDLE THE MENTALLY ILL, MOST DEPARTMENTS HAVE DIFFICUTLY HANDLING ANYTHING BUT BASIC POLICE SERVICES. THEREFORE, INCREASING NUMBERS OF PERSONS WHO BELONG IN THE MENTAL HEALTH SYSTEM ARE WINDING UP IN THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM. PHOTOGRAPHS ARE INCLUDED. (RFC)