A Return to Mental Health and the Police—New Learning from Innovation. (29th May 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Dawson, Paul; Hobson, Zoe
• Is Part Of: Policing. Volume 15:Number 1(2021)
• Page Start: 596
• Page End: 605
• Publication Date: 2019-05-29
• Subjects: Police -- Periodicals; 363.2
• DOI: 10.1093/police/paz024
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1752-4512

Abstract

Abstract: Mental health is a core facet of policing demand, something that shows no indication of change—officers are often the first port of call and consequently can play an important role within enabling subsequent interventions. Historically, there has been a documented disjoin between the police and an effective mental ill-health response, evidenced by a number of high profile cases and reviews (i.e. Bradley or the Adebowale review). Such reviews set out a strong marker of where the police were in terms of understanding and responding to mental health. A number of years have passed since these reviews and a variety of innovations have been developed as a response. This article offers a reflection upon two such innovations (London Street Triage and Mental Health Awareness and Safeguarding Training Training both of which were implemented in London and supported by evaluation.