Mental Illness and the Police Article

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To the Editor:Recently, there has been a crisis of confidence in the ability of the criminal justice system and the police system to act fairly toward persona of all races, religions, and ethnicities. This is also true of persons with disabilities. Particularly of suspects of persons with mental illnesses, including schizophrenia, autism, and developmental disabilities, it can be very difficult for untrained officers to distinguish between criminality and mental illness.Ethical criminal justice leaders must be aware of the need not simply to be tough on crime but also to act with compassion, fairness, and justice to all persons, including suspects. According to the Treatment Advocacy Center (2018), suspects with mental illness are 16 times more likely to be killed by law enforcement. It is critical that criminal justice leaders are given the tools to identify the signs of non-threatening mental illness so officers do not confuse them with aggression, and so they have the ability to deescalate potentially dangerous situations.Admitting there is a problem is the first step. In fact, law enforcement officers may not always be the most appropriate personnel to deal with dangerous situations such as suicides or with persons acting in strange but non-aggressive ways. Learning from instructive examples in law enforcement across the nation may be useful.

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…individuals who are suffering from mental illness, and protecting those individuals just as they protect other members of the community. Unfortunately, because of the difficulties officers grapple with every day, they may be inclined to suspect the worst whenever they spot someone who may be talking or acting strangely. But this is not always helpful when treating the mentally ill.Finally, officers should be able to spot mental illnesses in themselves and other officers, when they are suffering from burnout or anger issues due to the pressures of the job. A final aspect of ethical leadership is ensuring there is appropriate counseling and treatment for police officers themselves who….....

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Latest APA Format (6th edition)

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"Mental Illness And The Police" (2022, February 19) Retrieved May 22, 2025, from
https://www.aceyourpaper.com/essays/mental-illness-police-2182620

Latest MLA Format (8th edition)

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"Mental Illness And The Police" 19 February 2022. Web.22 May. 2025. <
https://www.aceyourpaper.com/essays/mental-illness-police-2182620>

Latest Chicago Format (16th edition)

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"Mental Illness And The Police", 19 February 2022, Accessed.22 May. 2025,
https://www.aceyourpaper.com/essays/mental-illness-police-2182620
   

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