Should Law Enforcement Be Accompanied by Mental Health Professionals?

As a mental health professional who collaborates with law enforcement, the idea that police should always be accompanied by mental health professionals is often questioned. While mental health intervention is critical for certain situations, it's not always necessary to have a mental health professional on every call.

The Role of Mental Health Professionals in Law Enforcement

Our team responds to calls that seem to require mental health expertise based on the information provided to dispatch or initial on-scene officers. This includes potential suicides, individuals exhibiting mental health-related distress, domestic violence incidents, and those who are acting bizarrely. However, we are not law enforcement; our primary role is to provide support, understanding, and sometimes de-escalation rather than enforcement.

Mental health personnel do not come to the scene for all types of calls. We do not write tickets or make arrests. Our goals include providing reassurance, connecting individuals with mental health resources, and ensuring the safety of all parties involved.

The Challenges and Realities

Despite the potential benefits, the idea of having mental health professionals accompany every police response is impractical due to real-world challenges. One of the main reasons is the violence encountered by the mental health professionals themselves. Many dropped out of the program because of the high levels of threat and violence they faced.

Another issue is the nature of the job. Officers never know what type of calls they will receive, especially in situations like domestic violence, which can be extremely dangerous. Even a second officer and a mental health professional do not always reduce the risk for everyone involved.

The Benefits of Joint Training

While the idea of having mental health professionals accompany law enforcement is worth exploring, the reality is that it would be logistically challenging and costly. Instead, joint training would be more beneficial. This can teach officers how to recognize and manage mental health crises, and can provide mental health professionals with insight into the diverse demands of law enforcement.

One successful example is a Police Officer who also received training to become a Psychologist. He was highly effective in reading individuals and their behaviors, which helped him understand many challenging situations. However, after a year, he left the department for a better-paying role, highlighting the financial incentive some may have in choosing alternatives to law enforcement.

Mental Health vs. Safety

While mental health professionals can play a crucial role in addressing mental health crises, the primary responsibility for overall safety remains with law enforcement. Mental health professionals should not be expected to risk their lives for every call, especially when they are not equipped to manage all aspects of law enforcement.

One example of how this can be managed is through more comprehensive follow-up processes. After ensuring the immediate safety of all involved, law enforcement should not be responsible for continuously monitoring individuals. Instead, mental health professionals can take over to ensure proper treatment and engagement. This can prevent the need for continuous law enforcement presence, making the process more efficient and safer.

Conclusion

While the idea of having mental health professionals accompany law enforcement is commendable, it is a complex issue with practical challenges. Joint training and improved follow-up processes can be more beneficial. Mental health professionals and law enforcement should work together, but the roles should be clearly defined to ensure safety and effectiveness in crisis situations.