NCJ Number
196749
Journal
Law Enforcement Quarterly Volume: 31 Issue: 1 Dated: Summer 2002 Pages: 20-25
Date Published
2002
Length
6 pages
Annotation
This article describes a program where clinicians, social workers, and psychologists are paired with law enforcement officers, as part of a San Diego Police Department Psychiatric Emergency Response Team (PERT), to cut through red tape and help mentally ill people before they hurt themselves or others.
Abstract
This article describes a program, PERT, that has been in effect in the San Diego area for 5 years, with the San Diego County Sheriff's Office, the San Diego Police Department, and the police departments of seven surrounding areas, pairing officers with nurses, psychologists, and social workers in dealing with the mentally ill on the streets. The methods used in varying circumstances are described, such as transporting persons to the psychiatric hospital for treatment when the situation cannot be handled calmly. Since it is a regional program, when a region is overwhelmed a call can be made to a supporting police station for response to a complaint. Clinicians, social workers, and psychologists are trained to get out of the way as needed. If the mental health aide determines it is a confrontational situation, the police will call for a backup. The effect of a change in social policy resulting in the release of the mentally ill to the streets is discussed as it relates to this program. A list of cases by type, outcome, and risk factors is given.