06-04 Persons in Crisis Flashcards
What is the Rationale?
The Mental Health Act (MHA) provides for the treatment and apprehension of persons in crisis. While it is not the role of police officer to diagnose mental health or substance use issues, it is their role to respond appropriately to the behaviours and circumstances they observe. This Procedure addresses situations where officers observe verbal cues, behavioural cues or other behaviours that provide them with REASONABLE CAUSE TO BELIEVE a person is apparently experiencing a mental, emotional or substance use crisis. The following process governs police interaction with and apprehension of persons in crisis and their subsequent admission to psychiatric facilities.
A person in crisis means a member of the public whose behavior brings them into contact with emergency services, either because of an apparent need for urgent care within the mental health system, or because they are otherwise experiencing a mental, emotional or substance use crisis involving behavior that is sufficiently erratic, threatening or dangerous that emergency services are called in order to protect the person or those around them. This includes persons who may require assessment under the MHA.
The Toronto Police Service (Service) is committed to preserving the lives and well-being of people who may be experiencing mental health and/or substance use issues, while working towards the goal of zero deaths and ensuring the well-being, safety, rights, and dignity of individuals and communities. In every encounter, the Service is committed to taking all reasonable steps to assess, de-escalate and safely resolve the situation.
Supervision
Supervisory Officer attendance mandatory for calls for service when there is information that a persons in crisis is armed or may be armed with a weapon
Supervisory Officer notification mandatory if detained at a psychiatric facility for more than one (1) hour
Procedure - An eReport must be completed for
all MHA apprehensions; and
circumstances where the location of the person named on the Form – MHA is unknown and every effort to locate the individual has been made.
Note: Officers may consider completing an eReport for any circumstances where the details of the incident would assist officers in resolving conflicts in any future crisis related contacts.
Section 17 MHA – Action by Police Officer -
Section 17 of the MHA states that:
Where a police officer has REASONABLE AND PROBABLE GROUNDS to BELIEVE that a person is acting or has acted in a disorderly manner and has REASONABLE CAUSE to BELIEVE that the person,
(a) has threatened or attempted or is threatening or attempting to cause bodily harm to himself or herself;
(b) has behaved or is behaving violently towards another person or has caused or is causing another person to fear bodily harm from him or her; or
(c) has shown or is showing a lack of competence to care for himself or herself,
Section 17 MHA – Action by Police Officer -
Section 17 of the MHA states that (2):
and in addition the police officer is of the opinion that the person is apparently suffering from mental disorder of a nature
or quality that likely will result in,
(d) serious bodily harm to the person;
(e) serious bodily harm to another person; or
(f) serious physical impairment of the person,
Section 17 MHA – Action by Police Officer -
Section 17 of the MHA states that (3):
and that it would be dangerous to proceed under section 16 (Justice of the Peace Order for Examination, Form 2), the
police officer may take the person in custody to an appropriate place for examination by a physician.
Note: There is no longer a requirement for a police officer to actually observe the person’s behaviour and may use information obtained from a third party in order to form reasonable and probable grounds for apprehension. Police officers should obtain and record as much information as possible in situations involving third party reports and request that the complainant sign the officer’s memorandum book.
Section 33 MHA – Duty to Remain and Retain Custody -
Section 33 of the MHA directs
A police officer or other person who takes a person in custody to a psychiatric facility SHALL
remain at the facility and retain custody of the person until the facility takes custody of him or her in the prescribed manner.
Safe Beds Program and Referrals to Community Supports - There are many community service providers available to assist police with persons in crisis. Members are encouraged to access the ______for information on the safe bed program, system navigators and other community referrals or supports available. Connecting community members to supports may improve their ______ they will require emergency services in the future.
TPS Mental Health Referrals Guide
quality of life and/or decrease the likelihood
Safe Beds Program and Referrals to Community Supports - Officers have access to assistance from the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) via their Community Referral Police Access Line – (416) 248-0200. This line is for police officers only, and is available 24/7 to provide officers with assistance when dealing with:
any person over the age of sixteen (16) who is believed to be experiencing a mental, emotional or substance use crisis;
has become involved with police and/or is at risk of involvement with the criminal justice system; and
who has not been apprehended under the MHA.
Safe Beds Program and Referrals to Community Supports - When making a referral for a safe bed through the Community Referral Police Access line SHALL:
proceed only on the consent of the person in crisis
with the consent of the person in crisis, provide only the name, date of birth and phone number of the person being referred to the call taker. The CMHA will obtain all other personal information directly from the person being referred to their services upon arrival at the central intake location.
provide any information that could impact the safety of staff and other patrols while at the safe bed location
provide transport for the person being referred to the safe bed location
remain at the safe bed intake site until CMHA staff complete the triage process
Note: The CMHA will accept individuals who can be safely supported in the community. This means that the individual does not pose a threat to the safety of the public or is not at serious risk of harming themselves or others. Prior to providing support, the person in crisis must voluntarily agree to the services being provided and any other required conditions for admittance (i.e. pandemic screening and testing, wearing of personal protective equipment, etc.).
Safe Beds Program and Referrals to Community Supports - The CMHA also hosts a separate Referral Line that is accessible to the general public – (416) 248-4174. Officers may provide this number to community members who may benefit from CMHA programs …
(including safe beds), but who wish to do so on their own timeline.
Mobile Crisis Intervention Team (MCIT) - The MCIT program is a collaborative partnership between participating hospitals and the Service bound through a ______. The MCIT program partners a mental health nurse with a police officer with additional training in _______ involving individuals experiencing a mental, emotional or substance use crisis.
Memorandum of Understanding
working with persons in crisis that will respond, or assist in the response to calls for service
The MCIT response will assist with:
assessing the situation
attempting to stabilize and diffuse the crisis
providing supportive counselling as needed
connecting the individual to appropriate community services
Mobile Crisis Intervention Team (MCIT) - When feasible and consistent with officer and public safety, members with MCIT training and/or additional mental health training should take
the lead role in situations involving a person in crisis.
Race and Identity-Based Data Collection -
As outlined in Procedure 16–07, the Toronto Police Services Board Policy entitled “Race-Based Data Collection, Analysis and Public Reporting” requires the Toronto Police Service (Service) to
collect, analyze and publicly report on data related to the race of those individuals with whom Service members interact.
Section 17 MHA – Police Officer - Where a police officer investigating a person in crisis observes verbal or behavioural cues (e.g.mute,passive,suicidal, yelling, hearing voices) OR receives information that would lead the officer to believe that a person is apparently experiencing a mental, emotional or substance use crisis, they SHALL be guided by
s. 17 and s. 33 of the MHA.
Section 17 MHA – Police Officer - When responding to a complaint of a person in crisis SHALL
request notification and attendance of the MCIT if available
conduct a Person Query, including a CPIC and CFRO check
determine if the person in crisis owns, possesses or has access to weapons, firearms, ammunition, explosives or the related authorizations, licences, certificates or permits and comply with Procedure 05–21
obtain the type of information contained in Chapter 5, Appendix A to help determine whether REASONABLE GROUNDS exist to believe there is a threat to safety
request the attendance of a supervisory officer when there is information that a person in crisis is armed or may be armed with a weapon
request notification of the Specialized Emergency Response – Emergency Task Force (ETF) in accordance with Procedure 10–05, when:
there is information that a person in crisis is armed or may be armed with a weapon
background checks indicate that the person in crisis has a history of violence or use of weapons
the incident involves a barricaded person
the incident involves a person who by their position has placed themselves or others in immediate
jeopardy (i.e. person located at height on a balcony, bridge, etc.)
Note: It will be at the discretion of the Supervisory Officer – ETF as to whether they will attend.
consider using the search and seizure provisions contained in ss. 117.04(2) CC to minimize any subsequent risk to the person in crisis or any other person.
comply with Procedure 09–03, if applicable
request to obtain sufficient backup officers
Section 17 MHA – Police Officer - When encountering a person in crisis SHALL
take all necessary steps to ensure the situation is safe
determine the need to immediately apprehend under the MHA or arrest under the applicable statute
Note: Keeping in mind officer and public safety, officers may use discretion when determining whether to handcuff an individual as it may not be practicable or necessary in all circumstances (e.g. due to a person’s medical condition, age, disability, pregnancy, or frailty).
consult with the MCIT, if available.
Section 17 MHA – Police Officer - When a person in crisis has committed a criminal offence SHALL
assess the surrounding circumstances
consider charging the person under the applicable statute
if no charges will be laid complete the applicable eReport outlining the details of the offence
complete the applicable MO Detail page
Section 17 MHA – Police Officer - When attending a scene where the risk of contact with blood or body fluids exists SHALL
take the necessary precautions to minimize the risk of exposure to communicable diseases
comply with Procedure 08–07
Section 17 MHA – Police Officer - If the person appears on CPIC in the Special Interest to Police (SIP) category as being the subject of an Ontario Review Board Warrant SHALL
comply with Procedure 02–12. NIP
Section 17 MHA – Police Officer - When receiving a complaint or coming into contact with an elopee, including a person wanted for a terminated Community Treatment Order (Form 47) SHALL
comply with Procedure 06–05. NIP