The number of mental health calls that law enforcement officers respond to is on the rise, presenting unique challenges for them. It is estimated that about 20% of police calls for service involve individuals in a mental health and/or substance abuse crisis. Additionally, roughly 50% of fatal law enforcement encounters are linked to mental health disorders as a major contributing factor.
When officers respond to calls involving individuals in crisis, the tools they have at their disposal may not always be appropriate. In a recent Police1 survey, officers were asked about their confidence level when responding to mental health calls and how pain compliance and verbal commands play a role in these scenarios.
To better equip yourself to handle mental health calls, download this infographic for more information.