A new study by the University of York researchers has found that while police officers are often the first responders to mental health emergencies, poor coordination between services is limiting the effectiveness of care.
The research, carried out with the University of Worcester as part of the ESRC Vulnerability & Policing Futures Research Centre, involved observations in two police forces and interviews with more than 70 professionals, service users and carers. It found officers frequently face complex mental health incidents requiring rapid judgement and de-escalation skills, often without consistent support from mental health services or clear inter-agency guidance.
Despite policy efforts such as the Right Care, Right Person initiative aimed at reducing police involvement in mental health incidents, forces across England and Wales continue to respond to a high number of related calls. Officers interviewed said they did not join the police to handle mental health emergencies, while some paramedics reported feeling like a “dumping ground” for cases other agencies would not attend.
Martin Webber, professor at the University of York’s School for Business and Society, said police are frequently the first to arrive at crises but not always best placed to provide care. “Police officers are often the first responders to mental health crises, yet they aren’t always the right agency to help,” he said, calling for better coordination between police, mental health services and ambulance teams.
The study identified three main problems: differences in police capability in dealing with mental health incidents, weak communication between agencies, and inconsistent implementation of national policy. Elizabeth Hughes, professor at the University of Worcester, said access to specialist advice varies widely, leaving officers unsure whether behaviour should be treated as criminal or linked to illness.
Researchers also found blurred lines of responsibility between police, ambulance and mental health services, sometimes leading to delays or conflicting decisions. Webber said that while Right Care, Right Person has reduced police attendance at some incidents, it has also created new issues, with some services still relying on police involvement in complex cases.
The authors are calling for a “whole-systems approach” to mental health crisis response, with consistent cooperation between police, health and social care agencies, as well as more research into routine police interactions with people experiencing mental health problems.
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