Cameron Miranda
Police officers are more likely to experience mental health problems than the general population. In recognition of this, the Law Enforcement Mental Health and Wellness Act of 2017 (LEMHWA) was signed into law in 2018 to improve the delivery of and access to mental health and wellness services for law enforcement officers. One way to achieve this is through Police-Mental Health Collaboration (PMHC) programs, which have been shown to lead to improved relationships between law enforcement agencies and their local partners and citizens. PMHC programs enable officers to respond appropriately and safely to people with mental illnesses and reduce the use of force. Communities can help law enforcement with mental illness by creating alternative options for mental health crises, such as employing mental health clinicians to respond to calls involving people with mental illness, co-occurring disorders, and substance use issues.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Police-Mental Health Collaboration (PMHC) programs | Enables officers to respond appropriately and safely to people with mental illnesses |
| Crisis Intervention Teams (CIT) | Most commonly used approach by law enforcement agencies |
| Co-Responder Program | Licensed mental health clinicians work in close partnership with police departments |
| Law Enforcement Mental Health and Wellness Act of 2017 (LEMHWA) | Support for mental health and wellness services for law enforcement officers |
| Mental Health Promotion Programs | Assist in reducing police officers' psychological problems and improving well-being |
| De-escalation Training | Educates officers on methods to neutralize situations without using force |
| Community Mental Health Care | Providing alternatives to police response during a mental health crisis |
| Use of Force Policies | Reducing trauma and tragedy by minimizing the use of force against individuals with mental illness |
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What You'll Learn
Police-Mental Health Collaboration (PMHC) programs
PMHC programs have several benefits for law enforcement agencies, officers, and communities. Firstly, they allow officers to safely de-escalate situations without using force or with minimal force, resulting in fewer injuries to both officers and individuals. Secondly, PMHC programs reduce the strain on agency resources by decreasing the number of repeat calls for service. Thirdly, they improve relationships between law enforcement agencies and their local partners and citizens. Additionally, PMHC programs increase referrals to appropriate behavioral health services and improve the continuity of healthcare by providing ongoing community-based treatment solutions. This leads to a reduction in arrests as individuals connected to mental health treatment are less likely to engage in unlawful behaviors.
The PMHC Toolkit, developed by the Bureau of Justice Assistance, provides resources and outlines the benefits of PMHC programs. It covers five sections: learning about PMHC programs, planning and implementing, training, managing, and measuring. The toolkit also includes a self-assessment tool to help law enforcement agencies assess their progress in implementing high-quality partnership-based interventions.
One successful example of a PMHC program is the Co-Responder Program in Denver. This program pairs licensed mental health clinicians with law enforcement officers to respond to calls involving individuals with mental illness, co-occurring disorders, and substance use issues. In its first year, the co-responder units answered 1,725 calls, with only 4% resulting in citations or arrests. The majority of calls resulted in connections to mental health care and treatment, helping to build community trust.
PMHC programs can be tailored to meet the unique needs and resources of each community. There are five main types of PMHC programs, and agencies can incorporate elements of different approaches to create effective collaborations. By working together with mental health providers and community organizations, law enforcement agencies can improve their responses to individuals with mental illnesses and ensure the safety and well-being of all involved.
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Employing mental health clinicians
The Denver Police Department recognized this issue and, in 2016, developed the Co-Responder Program. This program pairs licensed mental health clinicians with police officers to respond to calls involving mental illness, co-occurring disorders, and substance use issues. The success of this program is evident in the numbers: in its first year, the co-responder units answered 1,725 calls, with only 4% resulting in a citation or arrest. The majority of calls resulted in connections to mental health care and treatment, helping to build community trust by addressing the underlying issues rather than criminalizing mental health emergencies.
The addition of mental health clinicians can also improve officer morale and retention. Clinicians can take the lead on mental health calls, reducing the burden on officers and allowing them to focus on enforcement, investigation, and community safety. Furthermore, mental health professionals can provide crucial support for officers' mental health, helping to overcome the stigma associated with seeking help.
Implementing pilot programs and collecting data can be a valuable approach for communities considering employing mental health clinicians. This allows for a data-driven evaluation of the program's effectiveness and can lead to positive outcomes and expanded initiatives, as demonstrated by Denver's successful expansion of their program from 4 to 45 clinicians.
Overall, employing mental health clinicians as co-responders can improve police outcomes, enhance community trust, and ensure that individuals in mental health crises receive the most appropriate response and support.
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Crisis Intervention Teams
CIT programs are based on collaborative community partnerships and intensive training. They improve communication, identify mental health resources for those in crisis, and ensure the safety of both officers and the community. CIT is the most commonly used approach by law enforcement agencies.
One of the key benefits of CIT programs is improved officer safety. For example, in Memphis, CIT resulted in an 80% reduction of officer injuries during mental health crisis calls. CIT programs also reduce the time officers spend responding to mental health calls, allowing them to return to the community more quickly. Additionally, CIT programs can produce cost savings for communities by reducing arrests of people with mental illness and increasing the likelihood of community-based treatment, which is less expensive than incarceration.
CIT programs are based on the "Memphis Model," which has been spreading across the U.S. and abroad since 1988. The success of CIT programs relies on strong community partnerships and intensive training. People with lived experience of mental illness, including individuals and family members, are key partners in these collaborations. They offer unique perspectives on the treatment and support needed for recovery, as well as education, training, policy review, and problem-solving contributions.
Overall, Crisis Intervention Teams play a crucial role in improving the response to mental health crises within communities. By fostering collaboration, enhancing officer safety, reducing costs, and promoting community-based treatment, CIT programs help transform the way law enforcement agencies respond to individuals experiencing mental health crises.
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De-escalation strategies
Training and Education:
- Law enforcement officers can undergo Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) training, which educates them about mental illnesses and teaches them methods of de-escalation. This training is essential in helping officers understand and respond appropriately to individuals experiencing a mental health crisis.
- Skills-based training can provide officers with the tools to recognize and manage their own mental health and well-being, reducing the risk of developing psychological illnesses due to the inherent stressors of their profession.
Collaboration and Partnerships:
- Police-mental health collaboration programs can involve partnerships with mental health providers, community organizations, individuals with lived experiences of mental illness and their family members. These partnerships offer unique perspectives and insights into the challenges of the mental health system, contributing to education, training, policy review, and problem-solving.
- Co-responder programs, such as the one implemented by the Denver Police Department, pair licensed mental health clinicians with law enforcement officers to respond to calls involving mental illness, substance use issues, or co-occurring disorders. This model ensures that individuals in crisis receive appropriate care while reducing the burden on officers.
Policy Implementation:
- Law enforcement agencies should establish policies that prioritize the safety and dignity of individuals they encounter, especially those in mental health crises. These policies should aim to reduce the use of force and create a culture that recognizes and addresses the unique needs of individuals with mental illnesses.
- Implementing policies that provide alternatives to police response during mental health crises can help ensure that individuals receive the appropriate care without involving law enforcement as first responders.
Community Engagement:
- Communities play a vital role in developing PMHC programs that meet their unique needs and challenges. By reviewing and tailoring existing programs from other jurisdictions, communities can design effective responses to mental health emergencies.
- Educating community members about mental health and providing access to robust community mental healthcare can help reduce the reliance on law enforcement as first responders to mental health crises.
By incorporating these de-escalation strategies, law enforcement agencies can improve their responses to mental health crises, enhance community trust, and ensure the well-being of both officers and individuals in crisis.
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Community mental health care
One successful example of community mental health care is the Co-Responder Program implemented by the Denver Police Department. This program pairs licensed mental health clinicians with law enforcement officers to respond to calls involving mental illness, co-occurring disorders, and substance use issues. By having clinicians take the lead on mental health calls, the burden on officers is reduced, allowing them to focus on enforcement, investigation, and community safety. The success of the program is evident in the data, with the co-responder units answering 1,725 calls and only 4% resulting in a citation or arrest, while the majority of individuals were connected to mental health care and treatment.
Community members with lived experiences of mental illness, including individuals and family members, play a crucial role in police-mental health collaborations. They offer unique perspectives and insights into the challenges faced within the mental health system and can actively contribute to education, training, policy review, and problem-solving. Additionally, community organizations representing these individuals can provide significant support and expertise to enhance collaboration and improve outcomes.
To further enhance community mental health care, jurisdictions can explore strategies such as the Police-Mental Health Collaboration (PMHC) programs. These programs aim to improve the outcomes of encounters between law enforcement and people with mental illnesses by fostering partnerships with mental health providers and community-based entities. PMHC programs have been shown to produce better outcomes for all involved, including consumers, officers, and agencies, by emphasizing de-escalation strategies and reducing the use of force.
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Frequently asked questions
The community can help law enforcement with mental illness by advocating for and implementing Police-Mental Health Collaboration (PMHC) programs. PMHC programs are collaborative partnerships between law enforcement agencies, mental health providers, and other community-based entities. These programs have been shown to produce better outcomes for the community, officers, and agencies. PMHC programs can also create positive changes for law enforcement agencies, law enforcement officers, communities, and consumers alike.
PMHC programs are law enforcement-based programs that enable officers to respond appropriately and safely to people with mental illnesses. PMHC programs allow officers to be safer, reduce repeat calls for service, minimize the strain on agency resources, and connect people with mental illnesses to services.
One successful example of a PMHC program is the Co-Responder Program developed by the Denver Police Department. This program pairs licensed mental health clinicians with law enforcement officers to respond to calls involving people with mental illness, co-occurring disorders, and substance use issues. In its first year, the co-responder units answered 1,725 calls, and only 4% resulted in a citation or arrest; the vast majority were connected to mental health care and treatment.
PMHC programs have been shown to have numerous benefits for both the community and law enforcement officers. For the community, PMHC programs can improve relationships between law enforcement and their local partners and citizens, reduce the use of force, and improve access to mental health services. For law enforcement officers, PMHC programs can improve officer safety, reduce the strain on resources, and allow officers to focus on enforcement and investigation.
