| abstract |
Law enforcement's role in responding to mental health crises has come under heightened
investigation and evaluation in recent years. Debates surrounding safety, effectiveness, and
de-escalation have risen. The literature review reflects a comprehensive range of perspectives,
including police-led programs, police training, mobile crisis teams, co-response teams, and
clinician-led alternatives. The research suggests the complexity of this topic and presents a
multitude of findings, highlighting both benefits and limitations of each approach. Differences
across regions, funding, access to resources, and training quality, further complicate outcomes. In
addition to the literature findings, this thesis references real-world media cases that illustrate how
crisis response models can sometimes lead to both successful and tragic outcomes.
Findings from this thesis indicate that, even with mixed literature, a reasonable case can
be made for having police presence during mental health crises, particularly when individual or
public safety may be at risk. When supported alongside proper training, protocols, and mental
health clinicians, law enforcement can play a positive role in crisis response. With this in mind,
evidence highlights the need for coordinated, person-centered approaches that balance
de-escalation, clinical care, and long-term recovery. Therefore, further research needs to be done
to evaluate these variables, as well as improving crisis response models to balance safety,
compassion, and clinically informed treatment.
|
