Police officers' perceptions and experiences with mentally disordered suspects

Abstract

Police officers' perceptions and experiences with mentally disordered suspects AbstractDespite mentally disordered suspects being over-represented within the criminal justice system, there is a dearth of published literature that examines police officers' perceptions when interviewing this vulnerable group. This is concerning given that police officers are increasingly the first point of contact with these individuals. Using a Grounded Theory approach, this study examined 35 police officers' perceptions and experiences when interviewing mentally disordered suspects. Current safeguards, such as Appropriate Adults, and their experiences of any training they received were also explored. A specially designed questionnaire was developed and distributed across six police forces in England and Wales. Nine conceptual categories emerged from the data that highlighted how police officers' level of experience impacted upon their perceptions when dealing with this cohort. As a consequence, a new model grounded within Schema Theory has emerged termed Police Experience Transitional Model.Implications include the treatment and outcome of mentally disordered suspects being heavily dependent on whom they encounter within the criminal justice system.

Experiences and Perceptions of Police Officers Concerning Their Interactions With People With Serious Mental Disorders for Compulsory Treatment

“…Equally, police officers who performed more than six compulsory admission transportations used less physical force during them (16). Thus, the level of education and experience that police officers have in dealing with people with mental illness influences their behavior and perceptions about them (17). For that reason, education and contact should be effective strategies for changing police officers perceptions and attitudes toward people with serious mental disorders (18, 19).…”

“…Police officers see value in obtaining training to avoid potential bad practices (17). However, as a result of their lack of training some encounters between police officers and people with serious mental disorders result in abuse of force, precipitation of violent acts and sometimes even death (15, 20, 21).…”

An examination of stigmatising attributions about mental illness amongst police custody staff

“…Qualitative research has allowed psychologists to use an explorative approach in understanding policing attitudes towards mental illness (McLean & Marshalll, 2010;Oxburgh, Gabbert, Milne & Cherryman, 2016). However, for relaiable comparisons to be made between groups of individuals, a more controlled and quantative approach would be appropriate.…”

Challenges for Research into Military Investigations

“…Much of the current research in this area focuses on the PTSD symptoms of alleged victims following investigations (Erez et al, 1997;Goodrum, 2007;Hermann, 2005;Orth, 2004Orth, , 2009Orth & Maercker, 2004;Parsons & Bergin, 2010), in particular, female victims of sexual assault (Campbell & Raja, 1999;Campbell, Wasco, Ahrens, Sefl, & Barnes, 2001;Cluss, Boughton, Frank, Stewart, & West, 1983;Frazier & Haney, 1996;Holmstr€ om & Bur-gess, 1978;Sales, Baum, & Shore, 1984). The mental health and wellbeing of witnesses and suspects is less well studied (but see L. Oxburgh, Gabbert, Milne, & Cherryman, 2016). Findings on the relationship between criminal procedures and worsening PTSD symptoms are inconsistent (Campbell et al, 2001;Campbell & Raja, 1999;Cluss et al, 1983;Frazier & Haney, 1996;Goodrum, 2007;Hermann, 2005;Holmstr€ om & Burgess, 1978;Orth & Maercker, 2004;Sales et al, 1984;Wagner, Boucsein, & Maercker, 2011;Wemmers, 2013), and the various studies differ significantly in terms of methodology, the influencing factors and the legal process examined (e.g.…”