Police dealing with mental illness 162/2022
FOI Reference: 162/2022
Request:
My main research interest concerns the involvement of the police with people who are mentally ill.
I have been researching the detention of people who are mentally ill or in crisis through Section 136 of the Mental Health Act 1983. Many attempts have, over recent years, been made to reduce the number of people who are detained under this provision
In this context I wish to make a freedom of information request.
Forces have adopted many different interventions to try and prevent these detentions. I have set out below several of these. I would like to ask under the FOI, which of these - if any - are in operation in your force area. You may also operate more than one for example it may be different in rural and urban areas, or it may differ in different Health Authority areas. It may also be that you operate something else altogether, in which case could I ask what for a brief description of it.
The 3 commonest interventions include:
1. Highly trained police officers who respond to mental health incidents.
2. Joint 'triage' patrols of police officers and mental health professionals who respond to incidents.
3. A telephone 'triage' system where officers can ring a mental health professional when they are dealing with someone who is mentally ill to seek advice before they detain someone.
Response 1:
I can confirm that Dyfed-Powys Police does hold the information requested, as outlined below.
There are no specific officers who respond to MH related incidents. All officers receive the same training and will respond accordingly. However there are some PCSO’s who are mental health single points of contact (SPOCS) and they have a little bit more training in mental health, and will guide colleagues as necessary.
Response 2:
I can confirm that Dyfed-Powys Police does hold the information requested, as outlined below.
There is no joint patrol of officers and mental health professionals. Officers are aware of the locations of community mental health teams, crisis teams and any mental health support agencies in their respective areas and can access these as and when required.
Response 3:
I can confirm that Dyfed-Powys Police does hold the information requested, as outlined below.
Both health boards in the DPP area have a number that officers can contact 24/7 for mental health advice and guidance. They are able to speak to mental health nurses who are highly qualified and can provide advice on how is best to work with an individual in mental health crisis.
It should be noted that as a result of the systems adopted by Dyfed-Powys Police in relation to the recording of such information that the information released may or may not be accurate.
(This is a response under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 and disclosed on 09/03/2022)