Case study 2: Law Enforcement and Mental Health Intervention

Case Study 2: Law Enforcement and Mental Health Intervention

CRJ 400: Crime Prevention Strategies

Strayer University

Introduction

There are many issues that law enforcement face on a day-to-day basis, in addition to those issues agencies also have to deal with those individuals who has mental health problems. In this case study, we will discuss the Memphis Tennessee police department developed a type of model of reaction, what the major tenants are, and how it is being utilized by numerous law enforcement agencies all over the nation. The case study will specify the model’s main effects, whether or not the Memphis Model is the appropriate model for the law enforcement to respond to those who are mentally ill. Additionally, the case study will suggest two (2) changes that could be made to the Memphis Model as a law enforcement administrator in charge with its implementation.

Summarize the model and its major tenants. Next, specify the model’s main effects in terms of the basic components of crime prevention:

According to the Memphis Crisis International Team (CIT) is a program that is created for law enforcement officers who are designated to respond to only emergency calls knowns as the first responders. This process is to identify those individuals who is mentally ill prior to arresting them and putting them in jail where police officers and providers from mental health services come together to form the program called the “Memphis Model.”

The basic components that the model’s main effects in terms of crime prevention is to improve the officer’s ability to safely as well as effectively attend to any persons that has mental illnesses. Strategizing the way, the model to work is to train, educate, and have an approachable manner to both officers and problematic people. Based on the CIT curriculums, all training must include what the signs, symptoms, and any other disorders other than mental illness. While officer’s have been diverted to these cases that end up taking up too much of time, at the same time away from other crime fighting areas where the officers are needed can become unpredictable. Therefore, applying the process of the main roles, and components of the model is the best way by having them trained for any mental health related calls only. This allows them to have some safety for the public, community, as well as themselves because anyone with mental illness can have a breakdown or even be dangerous without knowing (Watson & Fulambarker, 2013).

Take a position on whether or not the Memphis Model is the appropriate law enforcement response to mentally ill individuals encountered by law enforcement officers responding to calls. Provide a rationale for your response:

The Memphis Model is an appropriate program that has been designed to differentiate law enforcement officers to respond to those who are mentally ill versus to those who only fight crimes. This allows the law enforcement department to have more officers free up to attend to where it is most needed. Another reason is because the agencies are being challenged by many calls, a growing number of calls involving people who really have mental health conditions all over the United States. Coming up with this program was understood by the necessary needs that were required and officers has voiced these issues which was addressed by forming this framework. Statistics showed that it works and each practice that were given during the training that was implemented during the working process was significantly spread.

Suggest at least two (2) changes for the Memphis Model if you were a law enforcement administrator charged with its implementation in your jurisdiction. Provide a rationale for your response:

As a law enforcement administrator, the first change for the Memphis Model that would be made is to have recruiting program added only to get those to volunteer for first responding. Educating the community by involving them, giving them the knowledge, training, and giving the community the common resources would help the law enforcement department a great deal. According to the Justice Center (2019) stated that having community leaders come together to discuss the issues that continue to rise amongst those who are criminals, and those who are mentally ill by differentiating them. This was done to better help the law enforcement officers to have behavior health coordinators in addition to mental health evaluators to facilitate inpatient facilities versus putting them in jail which becomes overcrowded at the same time inappropriately detained.

The second change for the Memphis Model that would be made is create an institution only for those who did commit a crime at the same time have a mental illness. This institution will consist of volunteer-based trained security officers in addition to those who require experiences for their career at the same times serves the purpose of providing assistance and care to the mentally challenged. This process eliminates the use of police officers giving the department to use them on the fields at the necessary crime fighting areas. It also shows that given the fact the mentally ill needs the assistance, and all the help they can get. Police officers are the first to be called or respond when there is a call, then the emergency team is called. This process helps eliminate further time, and resources that would have been used if this strategy is not implemented.

Conclusion

The Memphis Model was designed to help those who needs it, at the same time help free-up police officers to do the necessary duty that they are hired to do. Giving the necessary training to the officers helps them to identify whether or not the individual is mentally ill or faking it. That way they can determine on how to proceed with the detainee, and using this model has changed how the law enforcement officers perform their duties. Memphis Model has also spread all over the nation because this model has true meaning to fight the crime, and identifying the ill, disabled, and elderly individuals.

References

The Justice Center. (2019). Police-Mental Health Collaborations: A Framework forImplementingEffective Law Enforcement Responses for People Who Have MentalHealth Needs. The Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA). Retrieved fromhttps://csgjusticecenter.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Police-Mental-HealthCollaborations-Framework.pdf

The Memphis Crisis International Team (CIT). (n.d). Memphis Model. CIT International.Retrieved from https://blackboard.strayer.edu/bbcswebdav/institution/CRJ/400/1154/Week9/CRJ400_wcaseStudy2_Memphis%20Model.pdf

Watson, A. C., & Fulambarker, A.J. (2013). The Crisis Intervention Team Model of PoliceResponse to Mental Health Crises: A Primer for Mental Health Practitioners. NationalCenter for Biotechnology Information, U.S. National Library of Medicine. Retrievedfrom https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3769782/