Characteristics of persons with serious mental disorders who have repeat contact with police officers

The purpose of this study was to identify the demographic and clinical characteristics that are associated with persons with serious mental disorder (PSMD) having repeat contact with police officers. This quantitative analysis used data collected from the interRAI Brief Mental Health Screener (BMHS), an assessment instrument used by police officers to record the characteristics of their contacts with PSMD. The study sample consisted of contacts between London Police Service and PSMD 18 years and older between December 2016 and April 2019 for which a BMHS assessment was completed. In total there were 7928 contacts between LPS and PSMD in the study period, of which 4134 were first contacts and 3794 were repeat contacts. The intent was to determine if there are characteristics from the first contact that can be used to predict repeat contacts with police officers. The results of a negative binomial regression analysis revealed that being known to carry weapons, experiencing hallucinations, command hallucinations, and delusions were all associated with PSMD having repeat contacts with police officers. PSMD who were younger at their first contact were more likely to have repeat contacts with police officers. As the age at first occurrence increases in years, PSMD are less likely to have repeat contacts. Having family or friends express concern that the PSMD was at risk for self-injury, being verbally abusive, and having a lack of insight into their mental health problem were all associated with PSMD being less likely to have repeat contacts. The implications for police services and methods of care delivery for PSMD are discussed.

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