The Issue
Law enforcement officers across the country are all too familiar with calls for service that repeatedly bring them into contact with people whose mental illness is not being adequately addressed. These officers often find themselves in the difficult position of determining whether to resolve such incidents informally or to take the person into custody, either for arrest or emergency evaluation. Although these incidents are generally resolved safely, on rare--but highly publicized occasions--they can involve use of force and the police officer, the person with mental illness, or both are seriously injured or killed. Without adequate training and access to community-based mental health resources, officers face tremendous obstacles in managing these incidents.

The Response
The Council of State Governments Justice Center, with guidance from the Police Executive Research Forum (PERF), has launched a program that builds on the successes of individual communities across the country to address police encounters with people with mental illness. This Bureau of Justice Assistance-funded program will provide resources for law enforcement leaders and their community partners to develop and enhance initiatives that make it easier for law enforcement to connect people with mental illness to much-needed services and to minimize the likelihood that law enforcement encounters will result in injury or death.

Resources
For more information on Consensus Project work on improving outcomes of law enforcement encounters with people with mental illnesses, read the project overview, follow the links below or contact Laura Draper.