ABSTRACT
The interaction between the criminal justice and mental health systems continues to be an area of policy concern. This is an area of work that creates particular challenges for police services. Police officers generally do not receive a great deal of training in this area. In addition, there is well-documented frustration among the police about the shortcomings in community-based mental health services. This chapter explores the impact of deinstitutionalisation and the way that this has affected the role of the police. It concludes that responding to individuals experiencing mental health problems has to be seen as a core police function. As such it needs to be given a greater priority.
