Policing and the mentally disordered.
I hope this article has given at least a flavour of the variety and complexity of challenges faced at the immediate operational level by police officers who have very little training in recognising the signs or symptoms of mental disorder and who very often have to deal with violent or irrational people who are quite simply criminal rather than ill.  There is no question that in Dumfries Division police officers rely heavily upon the personal imput of on-call police doctors.  Whilst at an operational level it is believed that incidents involvidng people with mental disorders are on the increase, it is particularly difficult to quantify exact extent of this perceived increase or indeed the impact which increasing abuse of alcohol and cotrolled drugs is having on the perception of mentally disordered offenders in the community.  The vast majority of prisoners who are arrested and held within cells at Dumfries Police Office are suffering from some form of drug dependency and are in need of some form of assistance.  Many display a variety of irrational behaviours when suffering the effects of drug withdrawal and increasingly it is difficult to keep any prisoner within the cells at Dumfries unless they have been examined by the on call police surgeon.  Many are depressed, confused and increasingly providing at least verbal indicators that they are suicidal.  It is more often the case that prisoners who are held within cells at Dumfries are in some form of constant observation whilst in our care.  Given the increasing presence of mentally vulnerable people within our communities, it is vital that operational police officers play their part in responding appropriately to the needs of these people and the dangers they may pose to themselves or others.  Dealing sensitively with increasing public concerns through appropriate community representative channels will also pose a considerable challenge.  A challenge which can only be met through increasing awareness of the real situation and a commitment to enhance relationships across the caring and policing professions. The best chance of success in this area undoubtedly lies in the strength of these local relaitonships as progressed through honest and open inter-agency working.
Graham
J
J
Dumfries and Galloway Constabulary, Loreburn Street, Dumfries.
D003134:Commitment of Persons with Psychiatric Disorders / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D004493:Education; D006801:Humans; D001523:Mental Disorders; D016495:Police; D011329:Prisoners; D012606:Scotland