SGSC Police Department Policy on Persons of Diminished Capacity 2024 PDF

**SGSC POLICE DEPARTMENT** -- -- -- -- This policy provides field officers with the necessary tactical and processing skills necessary to manage persons of diminished capacity, ensuring they receive needed professional assistance, protecting the community, safeguarding office...

**SGSC POLICE DEPARTMENT** -- -- -- -- This policy provides field officers with the necessary tactical and processing skills necessary to manage persons of diminished capacity, ensuring they receive needed professional assistance, protecting the community, safeguarding officers, and improving the department\'s risk management. **412.00 POLICY** **412.01 DEFINITIONS** **412.02 SIGNS TO HELP IN THE RECOGNITION OF MENTAL ILLNESS** A. Significant changes in behavior: 1. Others will say that an impaired person is not \"himself.\" 2. They may behave in a way that is dangerous to themselves or others. 3. They may withdraw and talk only to themselves. B. They may have sensations that are not based on reality, including: 1. Visions, strange odors, peculiar tastes, or voices ‑ all or any one of these sensations may be experienced by the impaired person. 2. They may have sensations that are not real. C. The impaired person may have unrealistic ideas about themselves: 1. They may believe that they have great position or power. 2. They may believe that they are worthless (e.g., extreme depression). 3. They may have delusions (e.g., unrealistic ideas) about the world. 4. They may exaggerate events. 5. They may believe the world is more unfriendly than it is. 6. They may have strange losses of memory or not know the time, where they are, or even who they are. **412.03 BEHAVIORS** 1. The mentally ill 2. The alcoholic 3. The drug addict 4. The sex offender 5. The psychopathic personality 6. The mental disorders of old age **412.04 FIELD CONTROL TACTICS** A. 1. Two officers should respond if possible. 2. Avoid using emergency lights and sirens to prevent agitation. 3. Establish a perimeter to ensure that others don't become involved. 4. Separate the subject from others while respecting their comfort zone. Continuously evaluate the comfort zone and adjust as necessary. 5. Reduce external agitation, such as crowds, noise, and other distractions. 6. Onlookers and family members should not be involved. B. 1. One officer will assume the position of the lead officer, preferably one who has received Crisis Intervention Training. 2. Limit observable indications of force if possible. Keep firearms in the low-ready position. 3. Gather intelligence about the subject from others at the scene, neighbors, or family members. This information may be important in determining tactics. 4. The lead officer is responsible for determining what resources should be requested, including professional resources, and staged medical personnel. 5. When warranted, establish a command post out of sight of the encounter. C. 1. One officer shall be designated as the command voice. This officer should not have a weapon drawn when attempting to communicate with the subject. 2. The officer should use calming, non-threatening communication, avoiding sharp commands. Use open-ended questions to find common ground. If the subject does not respond, use other communication techniques or change the person designated as the command voice. 3. Avoid using threats of arrest or the use of force. Reassure the subject that officers are there to help. 4. Be truthful. 5. Continuously analyze the effect your efforts are having on the subject. Adjust communication styles to avoid agitating the subject. D. 1. History has shown that the longer the encounter the better the chance for a successful and safe resolution. 2. Increasing the duration of the encounter and using defusing techniques allows the subject to reflect on his or her predicament. 3. Establishing rapport takes time. 4. Slowing things down allows for the arrival of support personnel. **412.05 COMMITMENT PROCEDURES** A. There is consent to commitment. 1. Must be free and voluntary. 2. Cannot be induced by fear of prosecution. 3. Using force to get the person into the ambulance or patrol car is not consent. 4. If the person changes their mind during transport, stop the vehicle and allow them to leave. B. A doctor, psychologist, clinical social worker, or clinical nurse specialist in psychiatric or mental health can issue an Emergency Evaluation and Involuntary Admission Form (10-13 ) after examining the patient within the last 48 hours (OCGA 37-3-41(a) - 37-7-41(a)). This order expires 7 days after it is executed. C. The Probate Court can issue an "**order to apprehend**" based on affidavits from two adults who have seen the person within the last 48 hours and swear to facts that the person is mentally ill and in need of involuntary treatment (OCGA 37-3-41(b) - 37-7-41(a)). This order expires seven (7) days after it is executed. D. He or she has committed a crime. The police can take a patient involuntarily for treatment if they have probable cause to believe the suspect has committed an offense and that the party is mentally ill and in need of involuntary treatment (OCGA 37-3-42(a) - 37-7-42(a)). Arrests shall not be made solely based on mental condition. Suspected mentally ill persons who have committed a crime may be detained at the county jail. The officer need not ultimately charge the suspect for the offense, although they may do so if necessary. E. He or she poses an immediate risk to themselves or others. The threat potential may require involuntary commitment (*May vs. City of Nahunta*). Persons who have suicidal tendencies or are violent and could be a danger to themselves or others may be transported to a medical facility for psychiatric examination. F. He or she is unable to protect himself/herself in the community. G. He or she has escaped or eluded those lawfully required to care for him or her. H. Returning an escapee from a mental facility (OCGA 37-3-5) **\ ** 6. **REFERRAL** An officer who receives a complaint from a family member of an allegedly mentally ill person who is not an immediate threat or is not likely to cause harm to himself or herself or others should advise such a family member to consult a physician, mental health professional, or a local mental health department for advice. The Georgia Crisis and Access Line (G-Cal) is available 24/7 for assistance with mental health concerns. Contact information is: - email address: [www.mygcal.com](http://www.mygcal.com); - Phone: 800.715.425 **412.07 TRANSPORTING MENTAL PATIENTS** During an emergency, an officer may restrain and transport an individual for hospitalization if the officer believes that failure to do so would create a likelihood of serious harm to oneself or someone else because of mental illness. Officers must balance considerations when restraining and transporting individuals to ensure safety. Ambulances are required to transport individuals when there is a medical issue, but they typically do not transport for safety reasons. Use only the minimum necessary restraints. Ensure proper seatbelt use. If possible, before transporting the individual, the officer should call the facility and describe the circumstances to determine the proper facility and any needed restraints. **412.08** **DOCUMENTATION** Officers shall prepare all required reports, whether the subject of the call is arrested, committed, or released, to provide valuable information for future contacts and to contribute to the statewide data system. Officers must keep interactions with mentally ill persons confidential unless required for official proceedings. **412.09 RECEIVING COMPLAINTS FROM INTOXICATED PERSONS** A. Exceptions: 1. There is a visible injury to the complainant or another. 2. The offense was witnessed by a sober person. 3. It is obvious that a crime has occurred. If there is continued harassment (numerous unfounded calls by the complainant), consider treatment options or appropriate criminal charges.