Improving Responses to People with Mental Illnesses: Strategies for Effective Law Enforcement Training
Publication Date: 2008
Abstract: This publication is one in a series that was developed by the Council of State Governments (CSG) Justice Center, in partnership with Police Executive Research Forum (PERF) and supported by the Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA), to address how law enforcement responds to people with mental illnesses. This training resource guide is written for law enforcement personnel and staff at other agencies who are planning a training initiative that will support a crisis intervention team, co-response, or other type of specialized law enforcement based response program, as well as for individuals looking to enhance an existing training initiative. The guide reviews common challenges experienced by several jurisdictions that have developed training for officers encountering people with mental illnesses, and synthesizes the key lessons they learned that could be of benefit to others.