NCJ Number
4849
Journal
Medicine, Science, and the Law Volume: 12 Issue: 3 Dated: (JULY 1972) Pages: 220-224
Date Published
1972
Length
5 pages
Annotation
AN ANALYSIS OF MENTAL PATIENT ADMISSIONS MADE BY LONDON POLICE SHOWS THAT POLICE ACCURATELY RECOGNIZE MENTAL ILLNESS.
Abstract
THE CASE NOTES OF 92 POLICE ADMISSIONS (UNDER SECTION 136 OF THE MENTAL HEALTH ACT 1959) WERE EXAMINED IN DETAIL AND COMPARISONS WERE MADE WITH FORMAL ADMISSIONS BY MEDICAL PRACTITIONERS TO THE SAME UNIT AND ALSO WITH THE ADMISSIONS OF PREVIOUS YEARS. IT WAS FOUND THAT THE POLICE WERE AS EFFICIENT AT RECOGNIZING PERSONS IN NEED OF PSYCHIATRIC CARE AMONG THOSE CALLED TO THEIR ATTENTION AS WERE THE MEDICAL PRACTITIONERS WHO WERE NOT APPROVED PSYCHIATRISTS. ATTENTION IS DRAWN TO THE TENDENCY OF SOME INDIVIDUALS TO BE REPEATEDLY ADMITTED BY THE POLICE. SUGGESTIONS ARE MADE AS TO THEIR BETTER MANAGEMENT.