TPS Community Mobilization Unit Demystifying the Justice and Mental Health System 2008.05.03 PC Patricia Fleischmann Vulnerable Persons Issues (416) 808-7040.

TPS Community Mobilization Unit

Demystifying the Justice and Mental

Health System2008.05.03

PC Patricia FleischmannVulnerable Persons Issues(416) [email protected]

www.torontopolice.on.ca


“I've Called the Police... Now What? A Journey Through Crisis Response"

TPS - 2007 EDP Calls for Service 10,460 calls received/cleared as EDP Total time: 38,182.4 hrs with

average 2.8 officers/call


“I've Called the Police... Now What? A Journey Through Crisis Response"TPS: Emotionally Disturbed Persons Procedure “The Mental Health Act (MHA) provides for

the control, apprehension, detention and treatment of emotionally disturbed persons. This Procedure addresses situations where officers observe verbal cues, behavioural cues or other behaviours that provide them with reasonable cause to believe a person is apparently suffering a mental disorder. The following process governs police interaction with and apprehension of emotionally disturbed persons and their subsequent admission to psychiatric facilities.”


“I've Called the Police... Now What? A Journey Through Crisis Response" TPS: Emotionally Disturbed Persons

Procedure Governing authorities & forms Definitions MHA apprehension, responsibilities of

frontline police officer, OIC, Divisional Mental Health Liaison Officer & CMU - Vulnerable Persons

Access Line, quick reference guide & designated psychiatric facilities


“I've Called the Police... Now What? A Journey Through Crisis Response"Abnormal Behaviour Unusual Socially unacceptable or violates

social norms Perception/interpretation of reality is faulty Person in significant mental distress Maladaptive or self-defeating Dangerous


“I've Called the Police... Now What? A Journey Through Crisis Response" Why is it important to educate the public

on use of force/crisis resolution training? Misunderstanding of our role &

responsibilities Crisis vs. mental illness Consideration of worst case scenarios


“I've Called the Police... Now What? A Journey Through Crisis Response" Why Crisis Resolution Training on

“Emotionally Disturbed Persons?” Coroner’s Inquest recommendations Officer safety initiatives Use of Force Review Committee Police Services Act Reg. 926 Adequacy & Effectiveness Standards

Regulations (Ont. Reg. 3/99)


“I've Called the Police... Now What? A Journey Through Crisis Response"Behaviour motivations Officers are required to deal with subjects in

crisis, subjects who suffer from a mental disorder or, subjects who suffer from both

However, what induced the crisis, or what type of mental disorder can be difficult for officers to determine


“I've Called the Police... Now What? A Journey Through Crisis Response"Important lessons Not all people in crisis are mentally ill Not all people who commit suicide are

mentally ill Communication is key to assisting

emotionally disturbed person Main goal to assisting EDP’s is

officer & public safety


“I've Called the Police... Now What? A Journey Through Crisis Response"TPS: Emotionally Disturbed Person Any person who appears to be in a state

of crisis or any person who is mentally disordered

2 categories: A person in crisis A person who is mentally disordered



TPS: Crisis A circumstance, or set of circumstances,

perceived or real, internal or external that causes the individual to change


“I've Called the Police... Now What? A Journey Through Crisis Response"Person in Crisis A person who suffers from a temporary

breakdown of coping skills, but often reaches out for help demonstrating that they are in touch w reality

Once the person receives the needed help, there is often a rapid return to normalcy



TPS: Mental Disorder Any disease or disability of the mind A person suffering from a mental

disorder may have to live w a long-term break-down of coping skills including perception, decision-making & problem-solving abilities


“I've Called the Police... Now What? A Journey Through Crisis Response"What Happens?

Radio room: 911 call – EMS, police investigation/report Non-emergency call – investigation/report

or provide information/referral


“I've Called the Police... Now What? A Journey Through Crisis Response"TPS Calls for Service Exact location & address history Caller identity & status Nature of incident Need for EMS (ambulance) Suspect information Weapons Children present Court orders


“I've Called the Police... Now What? A Journey Through Crisis Response"TPS Calls for Service Q.: Criminal or civil matter? Criminal investigation: arrest/charge

or, no charges laid Who is suspect/abuser? Special consideration? Provincial statute Civil matter: advise & refer In all cases: referral to other agencies or

additional resources TPS procedures – CCC arrest or MHA

apprehension, referral/follow-up


“I've Called the Police... Now What? A Journey Through Crisis Response" TPS EDP options: Arrest (CCC) Apprehension (Mental Health Act) Mobile Crisis Intervention Team (MCIT) Police-only Access Line Advise Form 1 (M.D.) or Form 2

(J. of P.) (MHA)


“I've Called the Police... Now What? A Journey Through Crisis Response"MHA s 17 Action by police officer -

Where a police officer has reasonable & probable grounds to believe that a person is acting or has acted in a disorderly manner & has reasonable cause to believe that the person

has threatened or attempted to cause bodily harm to himself or herself or

is threatening or attempting to cause bodily harm to himself or herself;

has behaved or is behaving violently towards another person or

has caused or is causing another person to fear bodily harm from him or her; or

has shown or is showing a lack of competence to care for himself or herself,


“I've Called the Police... Now What? A Journey Through Crisis Response" And in addition, the police officer is of the

opinion that the person is apparently suffering from a mental disorder of a nature or quality that likely will result in,

(d) serious bodily harm to the person;(e) serious bodily harm to another person; or(f) Serious physical impairment of the person, And that it would be dangerous to proceed

under section 16 (Form 2 Application to a J.P.), the police officer may take the person in custody to an appropriate place for examination by a physician


“I've Called the Police... Now What? A Journey Through Crisis Response"What Happens Next? CIB: CCC investigative follow-up Bail hearing/court appearance

(mental health issues - 102 Court?) CRO or CPO visit/follow-up/meeting CMU: resource/referral, staff presentation,

committee, initiative or meeting


“I've Called the Police... Now What? A Journey Through Crisis Response"Who, when, why & how to call?

Who: Radio room, specialized unit, local division or individual officer

When: Need to report (suspected) criminal matter or suspicious/unusual occurrence, or need answer to question or discuss concern or other pressing issue

Why: To advise, for information or for clarification

How: 911, non-emergency # (416) 808-2222 or direct #


“I've Called the Police... Now What? A Journey Through Crisis Response"TPS Police Resources CMU – DV Co-ordinator (416) 808-7041 CMU – Crime Prevention (416) 808-7044

www.torontopolice.on.ca/crimeprevention/

Divisional Community Relations Officers (CRO’s) & Crime Prevention Officers (CPO’s) (17 divisions)

CMU - Vulnerable Persons Issues (416) 808-7040

www.torontopolice.on.ca


“I've Called the Police... Now What? A Journey Through Crisis Response"TPS Role Investigation/enforcement Education/empowerment Provide access to network of social

services & community agencies Increase awareness of resources *Response: criminal or civil


“I've Called the Police... Now What? A Journey Through Crisis Response"Final Thought“Police officers are concerned with immediate

crisis response whereas the mental health system is slow, cumbersome and looks for

longer term solutions. Whereas the motto of the medical profession might be “Above all, do no harm,” the public expectation of the

police is more likely “Above all, do something!”

(Dr. Dorothy Cotton, Feb 2005)


“I've Called the Police... Now What? A Journey Through Crisis Response" TPS Police Resources Mobile Crisis Intervention Teams

(St. Michael’s, St. Joseph’s & all Scarborough Hospitals)

TPS Community-Based Mental Health Services “police-only” Access Line



Mobile Crisis Intervention Team MCIT program (June 2000) initiated in

direct response to concerns raised regarding police response to calls involving mentally ill individuals


“I've Called the Police... Now What? A Journey Through Crisis Response"MCIT Mission Statement MCIT is dedicated to the dignified

treatment of EDP’s in crisis By partnering law enforcement & the

medical profession, this unit strives to assist individuals before they enter a crisis, while enhancing support to frontline officers


“I've Called the Police... Now What? A Journey Through Crisis Response"MCIT Vision Goal is to invest/partner an officer & a

psychiatric nurse into the management of the EDP calls

Program strives to decrease unnecessary use of hospital emergency rooms & divert EDP’s from the CJS when appropriate


“I've Called the Police... Now What? A Journey Through Crisis Response" MCIT provides a skilled & compassionate

response to mental health emergencies in the community

Team works alongside local community mental programs, public safety organizations, hospitals & other community support groups to promptly de-escalate crises & avoid unnecessary arrests & emergency room visits by providing appropriate referrals, services & resources within a patient’s own community


“I've Called the Police... Now What? A Journey Through Crisis Response"MCIT Services Upon arrival at a crisis scene: Assess the situation Attempt to stabilize & defuse the crisis Provide supportive counselling as needed Provide information & referrals, linkages with

appropriate community services & supports for ongoing treatment & follow-up

Transport to hospital emergency if further psychiatric &/or medical assessment is required


“I've Called the Police... Now What? A Journey Through Crisis Response"Criteria: TPS: 1st class PC Voluntary application Interview by both Service & hospital Training in medical issues

(substance abuse & psychiatric illness) Training in police duties & responsibilities RN agrees to follow police direction in

emergent situations


“I've Called the Police... Now What? A Journey Through Crisis Response"TPS Access Line 16+ years of age Have a mental illness &/or are emotionally disturbed In the presence of a police officer At significant risk of imminent or re-involvement

with the criminal justice system In need of support, but do not require apprehension

under the (Ont.) Mental Health Act Can be safely supported in the community Willing to access the services


“I've Called the Police... Now What? A Journey Through Crisis Response"TPS Access Line

Safely supported those who, with the support of mental health

& justice services, do not pose a threat to themselves or others

Willing to access the services voluntary participation, person agrees to

referral


“I've Called the Police... Now What? A Journey Through Crisis Response"TPS Access Line

If criteria met, individual has access to the following services:

Short-term residential beds Mental health & justice prevention

program Information & referral to other

community mental health services


“I've Called the Police... Now What? A Journey Through Crisis Response"Police-only ‘Access Line’ (24/7): Confirmation that person understands that

‘Access Line’ services offered are voluntary Contact info: officer & individual Discussion to best determine specific

needs of individual Discussion on how to connect person

w ‘Access Line’ services



Additional Resources Victim Services Program (416) 808-7066

www.victimservicestoronto.com/

SSO Justice & Mental Health Program - JAMH


Demystifying the Justice and Mental

Health System2008.05.03

PC Patricia FleischmannVulnerable Persons Issues(416) 808-7040patricia.fleischmann@torontopolice.on.cawww.torontopolice.on.ca

TPS Community Mobilization Unit Demystifying the Justice and Mental Health System 2008.05.03 PC Patricia Fleischmann Vulnerable Persons Issues (416) 808-7040.

Documents

mha slide

informationreferral

role responsibilities

public safety slide

type of mental disorder

mental health system

mha apprehension

disturbed persons