ABSTRACT
The terminology of "special population" connotes a variety of features within society in referring generally to disadvantaged or vulnerable groups. Within criminal justice specifically, the reference is often to individuals possessing one or more physical or psychological characteristics that can present situational challenges for law enforcement, correctional, or other public safety interactions. Mental illness is presented in various ways and manifests in behaviors that may bring a person in contact with law enforcement officers during calls for service or on the street, with correctional officers in a booking suite or in facility population, or medical or security personnel prehospital or in an emergency room setting. Training for criminal justice employees continues to improve, not least in the area of mental illness and considerations related to special populations. When making force decisions, an officer must gauge to the extent possible the subject's ability to understand and comply with the officer's commands. Agencies must have policies that address interacting with special populations.
