Guidelines for Law Enforcement Officers in Handling Persons with Mental Illness
Fact Sheet | Civil Involuntary Detention Guide: pdf or word
To: Law Enforcement Officers
From: Missouri Advisory Council for Comprehensive Psychiatric Services, Department of Mental Health
The Missouri Department of Mental Health and the Missouri Advisory Council for Comprehensive Psychiatric Services are aware of the responsibility placed on law enforcement officers in regard to individuals with a mental illness and chemical dependency problems. These individuals sometimes are considered harmful to themselves or other people. The major responsibility of assessing situations involving people with chemical dependencies or mental illnesses and transporting these individuals to treatment facilities usually falls on your shoulders. Commitment laws and laws governing each municipality make the job more difficult. Clarifying the role of law enforcement officers and the role of mental health professionals is one way to better respond to the need to obtain help for the individual and to provide public safety.
The information in this booklet is intended to help officers who must take immediate action in situations involving people with mental illnesses or chemical dependencies and to provide information to family and friends about where to get help. Included in this handbook is a list of services available in the community.
Thank you for your cooperation. Working together, mental health professionals, law enforcement officers, relatives, and friends can make a difference in the treatment of people with chemical dependencies and mental illnesses.
