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Mentally ill people more likely to die after police use force, says watchdog Mentally ill people more likely to die after police use force – watchdog
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People with mental illness are four times more likely to die after police use force against them than other individuals, according to a new report by the police watchdog.People with mental illness are four times more likely to die after police use force against them than other individuals, according to a new report by the police watchdog.
The Independent Police Complaints Commission analysed five years of cases in which police have used force on members of the public. Its findings, seen by the Guardian, reveal those with mental health problems are more likely to be restrained by police officers; to die after the use of force; to experience multiple uses of force and to be subject to force while in custody. The Independent Police Complaints Commission analysed five years of cases in which police have used force on members of the public.
Its findings, seen by the Guardian, reveal those with mental health problems are more likely to be restrained by police officers; to die after the use of force; to experience multiple uses of force; and to be subject to force while in custody.
Related: Mental health crisis takes huge and increasing share of police timeRelated: Mental health crisis takes huge and increasing share of police time
The report on police’s use of force, to be published on Tuesday, shows the impact of scant mental health services between 9pm and 3am, when half of the incidents involving use of force took place. The report on police use of force, to be published on Tuesday 8 March, shows the impact of scant mental health services between 9pm and 3am, when half of the incidents involving use of force took place.
It highlights the risks when police are called to hospitals to help health staff – of the 10 cases in the sample in a hospital setting, seven of the people who had force used against them had some form of mental health issue.It highlights the risks when police are called to hospitals to help health staff – of the 10 cases in the sample in a hospital setting, seven of the people who had force used against them had some form of mental health issue.
Dame Anne Owers, chair of the IPCC said: “Our report raises real concerns about the consequences of using force on people in mental health crisis. People understand and expect that our police officers should have the power to use force when it is necessary to protect the public.Dame Anne Owers, chair of the IPCC said: “Our report raises real concerns about the consequences of using force on people in mental health crisis. People understand and expect that our police officers should have the power to use force when it is necessary to protect the public.
“However, officers must be accountable for their use of force, particularly when it leads to death or serious injury.”“However, officers must be accountable for their use of force, particularly when it leads to death or serious injury.”
The Guardian revealed in January that police are spending up to 40 % of their time on mental health-related incidents. The research found that the overall number of incidents with a mental health aspect rose by 33% between 2011 and 2014, the last full year for which data is available. This was despite the overall number of incidents recorded by the police forces falling by 10% in the same period. The Guardian revealed in January that police are spending up to 40% of their time on mental health-related incidents.
Owers said people with mental health problems were vulnerable but in many cases were more likely to present challenges to the police. “They were much more likely to be under the influence of drugs or alcohol and to be in possession of some kind of weapon, with risks to themselves or others.” The research found that the overall number of incidents with a mental health aspect rose by 33% between 2011 and 2014, the last full year for which data is available. This was despite the overall number of incidents recorded by the police forces falling by 10% in the same period.
Owers said people with mental health problems were vulnerable but in many cases were more likely to present challenges to the police.
“They were much more likely to be under the influence of drugs or alcohol and to be in possession of some kind of weapon, with risks to themselves or others.”
Related: Fixing the UK's mental health crisis will need both police and healthRelated: Fixing the UK's mental health crisis will need both police and health
She said officers needed better training in recognising and communication with those with mental illness, but added: “There is an urgent need to invest in appropriate mental health services that can prevent such crises or support people through them.”She said officers needed better training in recognising and communication with those with mental illness, but added: “There is an urgent need to invest in appropriate mental health services that can prevent such crises or support people through them.”
The IPCC examined a five year period in which the watchdog carried out or managed investigations into police use of force involving 239 people. The IPCC examined a five-year period in which the watchdog carried out or managed investigations into police use of force involving 239 people.
Twenty four per cent of people with mental health problems experienced force while in custody of the police, compared to 13% with no mental illness, the study found. The study found that 24% of people with mental health problems experienced force while in custody of the police, compared with 13% with no mental illness.
The IPCC report said the public believed police were using force more readily than they did 10 years ago and that officers may lack confidence when dealing with individuals with mental health issues. The IPCC report said the public believed police officers were using force more readily than they did 10 years ago and that officers may lack confidence when dealing with individuals with mental health issues.
The report makes a series of recommendations to the police service including:The report makes a series of recommendations to the police service including:
Some of the most serious deaths after police contact have taken place when police are assisting health staff to restrain patients. Seni Lewis, 23, who had mental health problems, was restrained three times first by hospital staff and then by police in the 45 minutes before he collapsed and later died. Some of the deaths after police contact have taken place when police are assisting health staff to restrain patients.
The Crown Prosecution Service decided last year there was insufficient evidence to prosecute police officers in the case. The law entitles officers to restrain individuals until they achieve control, but it is a highly controversial area of policing when used on individuals with mental health problems. Seni Lewis, 23, who had mental health problems, was restrained three times first by hospital staff and then by police in the 45 minutes before he collapsed and later died.
An inquest jury in Birmingham ruled last year that 29-year-old Kingsley Burrell was failed by a series of police officers and medical workers when he was being sectioned in March 2011. Burrell was taken into custody after calling police to say he was being threatened with a gun while shopping in the centre of Birmingham. However, CCTV footage showed he was not being followed and he was detained under the Mental Health Act. The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) decided last year there was insufficient evidence to prosecute police officers in the case. The law entitles officers to restrain individuals until they achieve control, but it is a highly controversial area of policing when used on individuals with mental health problems.
An inquest jury in Birmingham ruled last year that 29-year-old Kingsley Burrell was failed by a series of police officers and medical workers when he was being sectioned in March 2011.
Burrell was taken into custody after calling police to say he was being threatened with a gun while shopping in the centre of Birmingham. However, CCTV footage showed he was not being followed and he was detained under the Mental Health Act.
Following a six-week inquest, jurors found that prolonged restraint and a failure to provide basic medical attention led to Burrell’s death. New guidance on policing mental health, drawn up by the College of Policing, is being issued to officers across the country to better equip them on how and when to respond to individuals in a mental health crisis.Following a six-week inquest, jurors found that prolonged restraint and a failure to provide basic medical attention led to Burrell’s death. New guidance on policing mental health, drawn up by the College of Policing, is being issued to officers across the country to better equip them on how and when to respond to individuals in a mental health crisis.
Several police forces are also working with the NHS to run triage teams, where a psychiatric nurse works alongside a patrol officer or putting nurses into the control room, to improve responses to individuals in a mental health crisis. Several police forces are also working with the NHS to run triage teams, where a psychiatric nurse works alongside a patrol officer or in the police control room, to improve responses to individuals in a mental health crisis.