Improving Responses to People with Mental Illnesses: The Essential Elements of a Specialized Law Enforcement Based Program
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 report serves as the centerpiece of this series. It articulates 10 essential elements for any specialized law enforcement based mental health response program. The elements are derived from recommendations made by a broad range of practitioners and other related experts and provide practitioners and policymakers with a common framework for program design and implementation that will promote positive outcomes while being sensitive to every jurisdiction's distinct needs and resources.