Date of Conferral

8-1-2024

Date of Award

August 2024

Degree

Ph.D.

School

Public Policy and Administration

Advisor

Karel Kurst-Swanger

Abstract

Law enforcement officers frequently encounter challenges when interacting with mentally ill individuals, often resulting in negative outcomes. In this generic qualitative study, the attitudes, decision making process, and behaviors of law enforcement officers in such interactions were investigated, with a focus on identifying facilitators and barriers to peaceful interactions. Additionally, the goal was to explore how police officer training could be improved to enhance outcomes in dealing with mentally ill individuals. Using a generic qualitative approach, data was collected through in-depth individual interviews and analysis of relevant documents from police forces. Participants, selected through snowball sampling from Police Departments, shared insights into their perceptions and experiences with mentally ill individuals. Findings revealed key facilitators such as dispatcher assistance, verbal communication, and collaboration with mental health providers, as well as barriers, including the need for more training and lack of knowledge of disabilities. Findings indicated that police officer training should be provided more frequently and in greater depth, incorporating elements like role playing and workshops and involving collaboration with mental healthcare providers. The implications of implementing these findings extended to positive social change, including the potential for improved community-police relations and reduced instances of violence or misunderstandings involving mentally ill individuals. By better equipping law enforcement officers with the necessary training and resources, a safer and more inclusive environment for both officers and mentally ill individuals within the community may be possible.

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