M2D1: Law Enforcement Models for Mental Illness

38522M2D1: Law Enforcement Models for Mental Illness

Image of a man crying out in frustrationThis activity addresses module outcome 4. Upon completion of this activity, you will be able to:

MO4: Compare and contrast various law enforcement strategies for responding to justice-involved persons with mental disorders. (CO2)
As first responders to situations that threaten community safety, police interact with a wide variety of persons. When confronted with a citizen who may be experiencing a mental health crisis, not unlike Mr. Hanson in our case study, the nature of the police response may reflect one of several approaches.

The videos and the assigned article outline various approaches for effective law enforcement responses to persons with mental illness. While one model proposes a generalist approach to police training, other models emphasize the inclusion of highly trained specialists (either community-based or police-based) in a police response to a mental health crisis.

Before you begin this discussion, be sure to:

Read the following:

Steadman, H. J., Deane, M. W., Borum, R., & Morrissey, J. P. (2000). Comparing outcomes of major models of police responses to mental health emergencies. (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site. Psychiatric Services, 51(5), 645-649. doi:10.1176/appi.ps.51.5.645. Retrieved from http://journals.psychiatryonline.org/article.aspx?articleid=84458

View the following:

Agenda with Steve Paiklin. (2012, May 11).Police and the mentally Ill (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site.. [Video file] [11 min 36 sec]. Retrieved from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qV7ieYKWtnw
DemocracyNow. (2013, October 22). Memphis model: Police pioneer use of crisis intervention teams to deal with mentally sick (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site.. [Video file] [8 min 34 sec]. Retrieved from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bqVWqJy7rDY

Respond to the following:

– What are the advantages and disadvantages of each of the various models?
– Reflecting upon the materials in this module, which model do you believe is most effective? Support your conclusion.