NCJ Number
112949
Journal
FBI Law Enforcement Bulletin Volume: 57 Issue: 7 Dated: (July 1988) Pages: 1-7
Date Published
1988
Length
7 pages
Annotation
Handling the mentally ill is one of the most perplexing situations most law enforcement officers face. This article describes the 24-hour mental health evaluation unit developed by the Los Angeles Police Department to network with the Mental Health System in responding to such situations.
Abstract
The procedure used by the department's nine-officer mental health unit to prescreen cases by telephone or at the scene and to assess and refer the individual to a hospital or other treatment center is described. Other topics discussed include the mental health system's role in interacting with the police mental evaluation unit: similar efforts of other police department also are noted. Specifically, networking arrangements, training, information sharing and hotlines in Birmingham, Ala.; Erie, Pa.; and five other jurisdictions across the country are described. Benefits to the social service system include less emergency care staff time spent unnecessarily evaluating, treating, or transferring inappropriate police referrals. Saving time, reducing danger, and increasing job satisfaction are described as three advantages law enforcement agencies derive from networking with the mental health system.