Policy Text
SACRAMENTO POLICE DEPARTMENT
GENERAL ORDERS
GO 522.01
Page 1 of 4
522.01
HANDLING MENTALLY ILL PERSONS
3-16-18
PURPOSE
The purpose of this order is to establish procedures for handling mentally ill persons taken into
custody pursuant to 5150 of the Welfare and Institutions Code (W&I).
POLICY
It shall be the policy of t he Sacramento Police Department that officers handling mentally ill persons
proceed in a manner consistent with the safety and well -being of all persons involved. Officers are
increasingly required to respond to and intervene on behalf of persons who are i n mental health crisis.
While officers are not expected to make mental health diagnoses, they are expected to recognize
signs and symptoms that may suggest a mental illness , as well as behaviors that are indicative of
mental health crisis. The goal is to u se de -escalation techniques to maximize the likelihood of a safe
outcome for officers, individuals, and the community.
PROCEDURE
A.GENERAL
1.When reasonable to do so and absent exigent circumstances, officers dispatched to a welfare
check in which an involved person may be a danger to him/herself or others shall conduct a
Department of Justice Automated Firearms System (AFS) check of the named person via the
California Law Enforcement Telecommunications System (CLETS) prior to making contact.
2.In the event an o fficer lacks access to a computer, the officer shall conduct the records check
via radio through Dispatch or Records.
3.Officers shall attempt to locate and seize any firearm(s) by way of consent in the event the
person owns and/or possesses firearm(s) and meets 5150 W&I criteria. Firearms located on the
person detained or legally accessible to the officer without a warrant shall be seized (e.g., plain
view, vehicle warrant exception, consent to search from 3rd party with authority, etc.).
4.If a person does m eet the 5150 W&I criteria, does possess and/or own firearm(s), and refuses
consent to search the area where the firearm(s) are believed to be kept, the officer shall contact
his or her sergeant for further direction.
5.Sergeants should consider application f or a search warrant to take possession of firearm(s)
inside a residence or any other area in which a warrant would be required to access pursuant to
8102 W&I and 1524(a)(10) PC.
B.5150 W&I HOLDS
1.Officers shall take persons into custody who, for reason of men tal illness, are a danger to
themselves, a danger to others, or gravely disabled.
2.Officers may act upon their personal observations or upon reasonable cause.
3.Officers shall not remove a 5150 W&I hold once it has been placed on a person.
4.Officers shall be a ware firefighters, EMT’s, and the majority of medical personnel do NOT have
the authority to place or maintain a 5150 W&I hold unless the individual is certified and
designated through the County of Sacramento Department of Health and Human Services.
C.USE O F FORCE OR PHYSICAL RESTRAIN TS
1.Officers shall utilize only that amount of force necessary to secure the custody of the mentally ill
person pursuant to 5150 W&I. Officers shall handcuff all mentally ill persons taken into custody
unless the age or physical condition of the person is such that the personal safety of the person
and officer will clearly not be jeopardized.
a.Officers shall handcuff a mentally ill person taken into custody when the person is not
restrained by means of a straitjacket or leather res training straps.
SACRAMENTO POLICE DEPARTMENT
GENERAL ORDERS
GO 522.01
Page 2 of 4
b. When handcuffing a mentally ill person, officers shall use only Departmentally approved
handcuffs and ensure that handcuffs are double -locked.
c. “Flex cuffs,” temporary plastic restraining straps, should not be used to restrain a mentally
ill person, nor shall they be furnished to other personnel or private persons for use in
restraining a mentally ill person.
2. Officers shall request an ambulance to transport mentally ill persons when
a. The person is violent and requires restraint in a reclini ng position.
b. The person is injured or physically ill and in need of immediate medical attention.
D. NON -ARREST
1. When no injuries have occurred, and/or no obvious medical condition exists, the person shall be
taken directly to the nearest emergency room.
2. If the person has been injured or has an obvious medical condition needing attention, officers
shall transport the individual to the nearest hospital or have an ambulance transport the
subject, if necessary. Officers shall remain with the person until the hospital admits him or her
and arranges for security and custody, particularly if the subject i s violent.
3. In cases in which psychiatric out -patients are currently receiving care from a local physician,
arrangements can be made with the physician or a County of Sacramento Mental Health official
to respond to the scene or to transport the patient to the physician's location for treatment. In
situations in which the out -patient's doctor cannot be contacted, the patient will be handled as
previously outlined.
E. NON -ARRESTED MINORS
1. When no injuries have occurred, and/or no obvious medical condition exists , minors shall be
taken directly to the nearest emergency room. Officers may transport juveniles to the SCMHTC.
2. SCMHTC will not accept care for minors whose behavior is clearly caused by something other
than