Chapter 2: Police Psychology

Question 1

What are the three options for police officers when they encounter an individual who is mentally unwell?

Answer 1

Informally resolve the issue
Escort them to a psychiatric institution
Arrest them

Question 2

What is an issue with each of the three ways police can deal with a mentally ill person?

Answer 2

Informal: what if they do something else, police blamed
Psychiatric: what if its full and they can’t get help, must arrest
Arrest: What if this is just criminalizing mental illness

Question 3

What are the four main sources of police stress (worst first)?

Answer 3

Intra and interorganizational stressors (paperwork)
Occupational stressors (seeing distress)
Lack of criminal justice (bad court outcomes)
Public (media bad)