A VIEW FROM THE FRONTLINE

SAMH CONFERENCE SAMH CONFERENCE 23 November 2010

Mr Patrick Shearer

President ACPOS & Chief Constable

Dumfries & Galloway Constabulary

Alcohol use in Scotland

• In 2009, there were 1,282 alcohol-related deaths

Male mortality rates doubled due to liver cirrhosis

Youth Alcohol abuse increasing

17,021 alcohol licenses

1 license for approximately every 240 people

Alcohol use in Scotland

Victim Perception

62% of offenders of violent crime were under the influence of alcohol, 12% higher than England

30% of violent crime victims stated that they had consumed alcohol a short time before the incident.

the total cost of alcohol misuse to Scotland is estimated to be around £2.25 billion

in 2006-7 – over £500 per year for every adult living in Scotland

Social Harm of Alcohol

Anti Social Behaviour Mental Health Domestic Abuse Deaths Self Harm Road Safety

National Issues

Mental Health (Care & Treatment) (S) Act 2003.

Diagnosis of mental illness.

Economic climate.

ACPOS - Mental Health Group2010/2011 Priorities

To support the development and delivery of mental health and suicide awareness training within the Scottish Police Service

Develop an ACPOS Suicide Prevention Strategy for the Scottish Police Service, thus fully contributing to the National Suicide Prevention Strategy in Scotland

Ensure the Scottish Police Service is part of a partnership approach to responding effectively to the challenges associated with psychiatric emergencies 

To identify relevant key performance indicators which will assist the Scottish Police Service measure performance in relation to policing mental health

POLICE AND MENTAL HEALTH - WHY DO WE ARREST?

WHY DO WE ARREST

Person is a danger to themselves

Danger to others

To provide for basic physical needs in order to protect him/herself from serious harm.

Lack of other options

Offence may have been committed

OPTIONS

Hospital Admission

Informal options

Hospital Admission

Lack of beds

Seriously ill – not delusional or suicidal

Mentally unstable , alcoholic or categorised by hospital staff as dangerous, not welcome in hospital

Under the influence

Previous behaviour

Arrest

Care and Custody

Suitable place ????

Resources

Costs

Training

Medical Provision

Other Considerations

Neighbourhood characters

Troublemakers

Quiet , Unobtrusive

Under Reporting

Difficulty in approaching the police do not know how to complain; are afraid they will not be believed or will be

perceived as a nuisance; have difficulty in communicating; have low self-esteem; are unaware of their rights; are afraid of having to cope with a stressful

situation (eg being in a police station).

Mental Health and the Future

Evolve and meet future challenges

Address funding mental health issues in the community

More integrated system

More adequate training for police officers

Creative budgeting

Multi Agency Approach and better collaborative working