ABSTRACT
The police are often the first point of contact for those who are experiencing a mental health crisis. While some have argued that mental health should be the ‘core business of policing’ (Adebowale, 2013:6), questions have been raised about the extent to which the police should be called upon as ‘the service of first resort’ (Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary, 2017:8). In the absence of appropriate training and resources, along with difficulties accessing support from mental health services, the police sometimes struggle to respond appropriately to those with acute mental health problems. In this chapter we explore the challenges and controversies surrounding police powers to take a person in need to a ‘place of safety’ under s135 and s136 of the Mental Health Act (MHA) 1983 (as amended by the MHA 2007 and Policing and Crime Act 2017). We will also consider some of the provisions set out by the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 to help protect the rights of vulnerable suspects, including the use of Appropriate Adults. Finally, we will explore new street triage services; multi-agency initiatives to respond to people with suspected mental health problems between police and health services.
