NCJ Number
55542
Journal
Police Review Volume: 87 Dated: (JANUARY 19, 1979) Pages: 86-88,90,91
Date Published
1979
Length
5 pages
Annotation
THE SPECIAL PROBLEMS POSED BY MENTALLY DISTURBED PERSONS WITH FIREARMS ARE REVIEWED, AND TECHNIQUES FOR HANDLING THE 'MAN WITH A GUN' CALL SAFELY ARE PRESENTED. GREATER COOPERATION WITH MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONALS IS URGED.
Abstract
NUMEROUS CASE STUDIES ILLUSTRATE THIS PRACTICAL ARTICLE. TECHNIQUES ARE GIVEN FOR APPROACHING THE HOUSE, STATIONING THE PATROL OFFICERS, SPEAKING TO THE PERSON WITH THE GUN, ASCERTAINING THE DEGREE OF EMOTIONAL DISTURBANCE, AND SETTING UP A SAFE APPREHENSION. IT IS URGED THAT SOMEONE TRAINED IN MENTAL HEALTH TECHNIQUES BE ACTIVELY INVOLVED IN TALKING TO THE PERSON, WHO IS OFTEN EMOTIONALLY DISTURBED. HOWEVER, ANY PSYCHOLOGIST OR PSYCHIATRIST WHO TAKES ON SUCH AN ASSIGNMENT MUST BE FAMILIAR WITH THE REALITIES OF POLICE WORK. IT IS ALSO EMPHASIZED THAT (1) THOSE ANSWERING A 'MAN WITH A GUN CALL' SHOULD OBTAIN ALL POSSIBLE INFORMATION ABOUT ANY PAST HISTORY OF VIOLENCE OR PSYCHIATRIC DISTURBANCE, (2) THE POLICE SHOULD LEARN ABOUT THE PERSON'S FIREARMS COLLECTION AND TRAINING AND SHOULD CAREFULLY ASSESS THE LOCATION OF THE INCIDENT, AND (3) ALL PERSONS RESPONDING SHOULD TREAT THE PERSON WITH CAUTIOUS COURTESY AND AVOID ALL PROVOCATIVE SIGNS OR BEHAVIOR THAT COULD BE MISINTERPRETED AS THREATENING. THE ARTICLE ALSO DESCRIBES TELEPHONE TECHNIQUES FOR KEEPING THE ARMED PERSON OFF GUARD AND HELPING THE POLICE APPREHEND HIM. (GLR)