Officers CPT Mental Health Update

Officer D. Neff Sergeant D. Faeth

Course Objectives:
1. Help officers recognize signs and symptoms of mental illness and access the resources needed. 2. Improve officers interaction and communication skills needed to properly assess a call for service and conclude with the appropriate and legal disposition.

Approximately how many calls for service do patrol officers respond to which are coded 5150 or 5150B?

5600 in 2009

Define: Mental Illness

A clinically diagnosable disorder that significantly interferes with an individuals Cognitive Emotional Social abilities.

Welfare and Institutions Code 5150

When any person, as a result of a mental disorder, is a danger to others, or to himself or herself, or gravely disabled

Welfare and Institutions Code 5150

When any person, as a result of a mental disorder, is a danger to others, or to himself or herself, or gravely disabled.

Welfare and Institutions Code 5150 cont.

The person designated by the county may, upon probable cause, take or cause to be taken the person into custody and placed in a facility for up to 72 hours for an evaluation and treatment.

Welfare and Institutions Code 5150 cont.

The person designated by the county may, upon probable cause, take or cause to be taken the person into custody and placed in a facility for up to 72 hours for an evaluation and treatment.

Welfare and Institutions Code 5150.2

The documentation shall include detailed information regarding the factual circumstances and observations constituting probable cause for the peace officer to believe that the individual required a psychiatric evaluation.

Emergency Psychiatric Detention

Officers are reminded that an emergency psychiatric detention is the

MOST INVASIVE
police action against a person Not suspected of a crime.

Tactics Reminder:
In the first 30 seconds involving a person in crisis, where a deadly weapon is NOT involved The most important tools are your MIND and your MOUTH

Listening can de-escalate a situation

Cultural Awareness:
When communicating with people in crisis remember: 1. Acknowledge cultural differences, dont make assumptions. 2. Allow the family/RP to educate you how a crisis might be handled in their culture. Incorporate when appropriate. 3. Dont stereotype. 4. Be aware of differences when dealing with foreign born individuals or youth of foreign born parents. 5. Know how to access languages resources if needed.

Signs and Symptoms

Handouts

What is the most common mental illness?

Depression

Diagnosis alone does not constitute 5150 W&I criteria

Developmental

Disability Substance Abuse Dementia Anti-social or oppositional behavior Epilepsy Mental Retardation Alcoholism

Definitions:
Danger to self: Due to a mental disorder, use of words or actions showing intent to commit suicide or cause great bodily harm or gross disregard for personal safety.

Definitions:
Danger to others: Due to a mental disorder, use of words or actions showing intent to cause great harm to another person, engage in dangerous acts or to show gross disregard for others safety.

Definitions:
Grave Disability: A condition which a person, as a result of a mental disorder, is unable to provide food, clothing or shelter.

Grave Disability:

Refusal of medical treatment in itself is not evidence of grave disability.

Handouts

Communication
Basic Strategy: Ask 2 to 3 open ended questions Whats going on right now? How are you feeling? What would you like me to do for you?

Basic Strategy cont

Use I statements. I understand it is difficult to. this is what I can do for you.

Offer: support services counseling / someone to talk to medication

Handouts
Ten

Tips for Crisis Prevention Listening Skills

Active

Field Reference Card 1

1. Investigative Questions
For Individual For R/P

2. 5150 Intervention:
Strategy Verbal Judo AVOID Make into assignment card - laminate

Documentation
Danger to Self or Others The legal criterion of danger to self or others has been narrowly defined by the courts to mean a demonstrated danger of substantial harm and danger that is imminent

In other words
a danger exists which could reasonably be expected to cause death or serious physical harm

IMMEDIATELY

Probable Cause--Generally
To constitute probable cause to detain a person pursuant to 5150, a state of facts must be known to the peace officer that would lead a person of ordinary care and prudence to believe or entertain a strong suspicion, that the person detained is mentally disordered and is a danger to himself/herself, others or gravely disabled.

In justifying the particular intrusion, the officer must be able to point to specific and articulable facts which, taken together with rational inferences from those facts, reasonably warrant his or her belief or suspicion.

If you dont document it It did not happen.

Evaluation at JGP based on what you wrote down If taken to court, only testify to what is written on document

Formerly AB 1424 Now 5150.05 W&I

When determining if PC exists to take a person into custody... Shall consider available and relevant information about the historical course of the persons mental disorder if the officer determines that the information has a reasonable bearing on the determination as to weather a hold will be placed.

Sample #1

Outline for completing document

Sample #2

Well Written Document

Sample #3

An example which needs to add information. Whats missing??

Sample #4

What is this detention missing?

Sample #5
Is this an application for an emergency psychiatric detention??

If not, what does it articulate?

Field Reference Card #2

Crisis

Services and Advocacy

Support

Make into assignment card - laminate

Closing thoughts

Never treat a 5150 call as just another call Talk to the subject, constantly looking for Indicators of potential violence Indications of drug/alcohol use Characteristics of a specific mental illness

Cont

Use your senses Determine if a crime has been committed Determine what action needs to be taken