Law enforcement and mental health UK meets USA

Chief Inspector Mark Bolt has just returned from a six-week fact-finding mission to the USA.

The purpose of the trip was to see how police forces in the USA deal with individuals in mental health crisis. It was funded as a part of his Winston Churchill Fellowship for 2013.

Mark said: “This issue is high on the agenda of British policing and it is hoped that the UK can learn from our counterparts across the pond.”

Mark visited Chicago, Hartford, Arlington and Baltimore, which were specifically chosen as they have well-developed programmes dealing with those in need.

In Hartford he attended the national conference on crisis intervention teams and was able to meet and learn from law enforcement agencies from across the USA.

In Chicago he worked with their crisis intervention team programme and spent time out on patrol watching them in action. This programme is all about de-escalation and equipping frontline officers with training to recognise and deal with those in mental health crisis. He also had the opportunity to experience Chicago’s mental health courts and jail systems.

In Baltimore he worked with their mobile crisis team where a police officer and mental health professional team up together and respond to those in crisis. This programme is all about providing speedy, relevant support where possible to those in need.
Arlington has a well-developed health and law enforcement partnership using aspects from both of the distinct models. It also has a jail that scores five stars on review website Yelp!

“I have seen things that frightened me - Cook County Jail in Chicago was one of the most depressing places I have ever been. "However I have also seen and experienced some things that have amazed me; the passion of those involved in making things better for those is crisis was outstanding,” Mark added.