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 law enforcement 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 Law Enforcement Response to People with Mental Illnesses: A Guide to Research-Informed Policy and Practice examines studies on law enforcement interactions with people with mental illnesses and translates the findings to help policymakers and practitioners develop safe and effective interventions. Supported by the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, it reviews research on the scope and nature of the problem and on a range of law enforcement responses.
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Examines studies on law enforcement interactions with people with mental illnesses and translates the findings to help policymakers and practitioners develop safe and effective interventions. Supported by the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, it reviews research on the scope and nature of the problem and on a range of law enforcement responses. (download)
Articulates 10 essential elements for specialized law enforcement-based response programs in interacting with people with mental illnesses and provides a common framework for program design and implementation that will promote positive outcomes while being sensitive to every jurisdiction's distinct needs and resources. (download)
Serves as a practical handbook written for law enforcement personnel and staff at other agencies who are planning a training initiative that will support a CIT, co-response, or other type of specialized law enforcement-based response program, as well as for individuals looking to enhance an existing training initiative. (download)
Special Announcement
JMHCP Grants available for Local Programs
The Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA), U.S. Department of Justice, has released its fiscal year 2010 solicitation for the Justice and Mental Health Collaboration Program (JMHCP) grant applications. The program was authorized by the Mentally Ill Offender Treatment and Crime Reduction Act of 2004 (MIOTCRA) and reauthorized by the Mentally Ill Offender Treatment and Crime Reduction Reauthorization and Improvement Act of 2008 and promotes coordination among criminal justice, juvenile justice, mental health, and substance abuse agencies.
Local Program Example
To view examples of law enforcement programs on the Local Programs Database, please click here.
Media Clips
An independent study of the state prison system, requested by the Department of Correction, has found serious shortcomings in the state's handling of inmates who are at risk of committing suicide.
3/4/10 — Rhode Island police officers, including college campus officers, receive specialized response training.