NCJ Number
69498
Date Published
Unknown
Length
0 pages
Annotation
THIS POLICE TRAINING FILM SHOWS SEVERAL EXAMPLES OF WHAT COULD BE CONSIDERED MENTAL INSTABILITY AND DISCUSSES HOW POLICE OFFICERS SHOULD REACT TO SITUATIONS INVOLVING MENTALLY ILL PEOPLE.
Abstract
THE ACTIONS OF MENTALLY ILL PEOPLE CAN BE OBVIOUS AND DANGEROUS OR SUBTLE AND SAD, BUT MOST MENTALLY DISTURBED ARE SIMPLY FEELING MORE INTENSELY THE PROBLEMS THAT FACE EVERYONE. SITUATIONS INVOLVING MENTALLY ILL ALWAYS HAVE THE POTENTIAL FOR DANGER, SO OFFICERS NEED TO STAY ALERT AND HAVE TO TAKE SOME CHANCES. HOW THE OFFICER ACTS WILL DETERMINE WHAT WILL HAPPEN. OFFICERS FIRST HAVE TO DECIDE WHETHER MENTAL ILLNESS IS PRESENT. IT CAN TAKE VARIOUS FORMS, SUCH AS TALKING TO ONE'S SELF, FORGETFULNESS FOLLOWED BY FRUSTRATION, PRAYING IN PUBLIC, AND LYING. ALL OF THESE MAY OR MAY NOT BE FORMS OF MENTAL ILLNESS; IT ALL DEPENDS ON THE DEGREE OF INAPPROPRIATE BEHAVIOR. THE OFFICER HAS TO TAKE THE TIME TO LOOK THE SITUATION OVER, TRY TO QUIET DOWN AGITATED PEOPLE, AND FIND OUT WHAT IS GOING ON. ALL CASES INVOLVE SOME FORM OF FRUSTRATION. IT IS EASY FOR A POLICE OFFICER TO VENT HIS OWN FRUSTRATION ON A MENTALLY ILL PERSON. AN OFFICER CANNOT LOSE HIS OWN TEMPER OR DECEIVE THE TROUBLED PERSON, BUT HE MUST KEEP TALKING, SOOTHING, AND SHOWING CONCERN. AN INSTRUCTOR'S GUIDE IS INCLUDED.