Social control agents or front-line carers for people with mental health problems: police and mental health services in Sydney, Australia

The relationship between mental health services and police and people who have mental health problems, are suicidal or are drug- and/or alcohol-affected is examined in this paper. A survey of 131 police officers in Sydney, Australia, revealed that more than 10% of police time is spent dealing with people with mental health problems. Nevertheless, police. felt unsupported in this role, unprepared for it and torn between the competing demands experienced in their work. A lack of confidence in dealing with suicidal people and a belief that work with mentally disturbed people does not constitute valid police work are also reported. Managing people with mental disturbance is a major concern for police. Specifically, there are difficulties relating to: inadequate training and education; deficiencies in services/resources; time and resource over-utilization; communication, liaison and feedback problems, and frustration related to accessing mental health facilities/services. It is argued that police work involving mentally disturbed people is a valid and necessary role-that complements law enforcement. In order to facilitate this aspect of police work, recommendations are made regarding education and collaborative working relationships between police and mental health professionals, which, in turn, could improve the care of mentally disturbed people in the community.