ACPO: Improving the police service response to those with mental ill health and learning disabilities

15th June 2010


Guidance to help police respond more effectively to people with mental ill health and learning disabilities was launched on 27 May 2010.

The guidance ‘Responding to people with mental ill health or learning disabilities’ has been developed for ACPO by the NPIA, drawing upon the expertise of health professionals, charities, third sector organisations and social care workers.

ACPO lead on mental health and disability Chief Constable Phil Gormley said:

"Police officers routinely come into contact with people with mental ill health or learning disabilities. This guidance demonstrates our commitment to improving how we respond in those situations. It recognises that the police service cannot deal with vulnerable groups on its own, but the service often acts as a gateway to healthcare.

"The policing mission encompasses a huge variety of responsibilities. We should be clear that police officers are not expected to be health professionals, but they do need the right advice available to turn to when required. We hope this guidance will lead to a better response to victims, witnesses, suspects and offenders with mental ill-health and learning disabilities, as well as improving the use of police resources."

The guidance aims to support:

  • More people with mental ill health being accommodated in health facilities rather than in police custody through better implementation of the Mental Health Act 1983;
  • An improved response to victims, witnesses, suspects and offenders leading to a reduction in repeat victimisation and offending;
  • Increased reporting to the police of crimes against people with mental ill health or learning disabilities (including discrimination, victimisation and harassment);
  • Reduced risk of harm to vulnerable people through improved information sharing with statutory and voluntary social and healthcare agencies.

The guidance, which is endorsed by the Department of Health, will be delivered to frontline officers and staff through training in how to recognise and respond to those issues.

Sainsbury Centre for Mental Health joint chief executive Sean Duggan said:

"We warmly welcome the new guidance from ACPO. It recognises that police officers have a crucial role at pivotal moments in the lives of many people with mental health problems and offers practical support for dealing with difficult situations. It is also a reminder of how important it is for health and social care services to work closely with the police in supporting people when they are most vulnerable. I hope it will be widely used and gives police officers the resources and confidence they need in their everyday work."

Dr Rachel Cragg, Head of Design and Development, Learning Programmes at NPIA, said:

"Our interactive e-learning is specifically designed to develop the confidence of police officers and staff who come into contact with people with mental ill health or learning disabilities to do the right thing at the right time. More advanced role-specific training is being developed for those working in specialist roles such as firearms, custody, contact management and public protection.

"As well as the guidance, training programme and implementation assistance to forces, the NPIA has also produced a number of short practical guides for front-line officers. These guides include advice on warning signs that a person may be experiencing mental health problems or have a learning disability, on applying the Mental Capacity Act and providing assistance with planned mental health assessments on private premises."