Police officers' perceptions and experiences with mentally disordered suspects

Area of Science:

• Forensic Psychology
• Criminal Justice Studies
• Police Perception Research

Background:

• Mentally disordered suspects are disproportionately represented in the criminal justice system.
• Limited research exists on police officers' perceptions when interviewing this vulnerable population.
• Police are often the initial point of contact for individuals with mental disorders.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine police officers' perceptions and experiences interviewing mentally disordered suspects.
• To explore the effectiveness of safeguards like Appropriate Adults.
• To assess police officers' experiences with relevant training.

Main Methods:

• Grounded Theory approach utilized.
• A custom-designed questionnaire distributed to 35 police officers across six English and Welsh police forces.
• Data analysis yielded nine conceptual categories.

Main Results:

• Police officers' level of experience significantly impacts their perceptions when interviewing mentally disordered suspects.
• A new model, the Police Experience Transitional Model (based on Schema Theory), has been developed.
• The study identified variations in how officers perceive and handle mentally disordered suspects.

Conclusions:

• The treatment and outcomes for mentally disordered suspects are heavily influenced by the specific police officer they encounter.
• Officer experience is a critical factor in the effective and appropriate handling of mentally disordered suspects.
• Further research and training are needed to ensure consistent and equitable treatment within the criminal justice system.