Date of Award

2014

Degree Name

Psychology

College

College of Liberal Arts

Type of Degree

Psy.D.

Document Type

Dissertation

First Advisor

Keith W. Beard

Second Advisor

Joe Wyat

Third Advisor

Chris LeGrow

Abstract

Police officers respond to many calls involving people suffering from a mental illness; yet many law enforcement training programs and workshops do not include mental health training. A literature review was conducted to explore the problems resulting from the lack of mental health training available for law enforcement officers and identify specialized training programs currently being implemented to address those problems. The review identified several program models being implemented throughout the United States including: Joint Police/Mental Health Team Model, Mobile Crisis Unit Model, Crisis Intervention Team Model, and the Broad-Based Training Model. These models include empirically supported components used to increase learning and decrease stigma and result in significantly reduced arrest rates of the mentally ill and increase the safety of interactions between law enforcement and the mental health community. A broad-based training seminar was presented to volunteers from local policing agencies. A pre- and post-test analysis revealed significant positive changes in attitude, behavior, and improved knowledge of mental health issues as a result of the training. The limitations of the current research and the future implications in regard to the safety of law enforcement and the safety of those affected by mental illness are discussed.

Subject(s)

Police training - United States.

Mentally ill offenders - Care.

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