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Procedure 4280Santa Ana Police Department Santa Ana PD Procedures Manual Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2019/12/17, All Rights Reserved. Published with permission by Santa Ana Police DepartmentPOLICE CONTACT WITH MENTALLY ILL PERSONS - 1POLICE CONTACT WITH MENTALLY ILL PERSONS 4280.1 PURPOSE These guidelines are to be used to instruct police personnel in making an informed assessment of a person exhibiting unusual behavior and procedures in determining to arrest or commit someone who is mentally ill. 4280.2 INTRODUCTION These guidelines were established to provide a frame of reference for managing contact with persons with mental illness including the importance of recognizing their behaviors, a discussion of the terminology, definitions of mental illness, and the behaviors and characteristics of persons with mental illness. 4280.3 LEGAL PROVISIONS Welfare & Institutions Code Section 5150 (The Lanterman-Petris-Short Act ("LPS ACT")) sets out civil procedures for mental evaluation and treatment. The LPS Act establishes procedures and locations for placing an involuntary person into an approved mental health facility. The LPS Act provides a system, which enables peace officers to detain mentally ill persons, without their consent, for up to 72 hours if one of the following conditions exists as a result of mental illness: •The person is a danger to himself •The person is a danger to others •The person is “gravely disabled,” i.e., unable to locate food, clothing, shelter or medical aid There are three reasons for officers to be able to identify persons with mental illnesses: •Your safety •The safety of the mentally ill; and •An understanding of the difference in the law as it applies to each mental illness The onset of mental illness can occur at any time and result from biological, social, or psychological factors. The major categories of mental illness are defined as: •Psychotic Disorders - affects the thought process (i.e., Schizophrenia) •Mood disorders - major or exaggerated disturbance in mood •Anxiety disorders -characterized by restlessness, nervousness, and agitation •Organic Brain Disorders -caused by degenerative disease (i.e., Alzheimer’s) Santa Ana Police Department Santa Ana PD Procedures Manual POLICE CONTACT WITH MENTALLY ILL PERSONS Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2019/12/17, All Rights Reserved. Published with permission by Santa Ana Police DepartmentPOLICE CONTACT WITH MENTALLY ILL PERSONS - 24280.4 IDENTIFYING BEHAVIORS WHICH ARE SYMPTOMS OF THE MENTALLY ILL 1.Persons with mental illness exhibit a range of behaviors, depending on their illness or a combination of illnesses. 2.The behavior and/or mood of the individual are inappropriate to the situation. 3.The behavior of the person appears to be inflexible. 4.The behavior of the person appears to be impulsive. Behaviors must be shown to be the results of a mental disorder not merely the result of lifestyle or attitude choice, or use or abuse of alcohol or drugs. Previous mental health history, behavior, and information attributed to third parties shall be considered in determining criteria for a 5150 hold. (AB 1424) 4280.5 BEHAVIORS THAT ARE SYMPTOMATIC OF MENTAL ILLNESS 4280.5.1 THOUGHTS OF DEATH AND/OR SUICIDE This is generally related to depression. Threats, suggestions, and attempts to commit suicide should ALWAYS be taken seriously. Persons with Psychotic Disorders may respond to internal voices, which issue violent commands. These “voices” may be called “command hallucinations.” Individuals who experience command hallucinations, abuse alcohol, and/or drugs and who are mentally ill are at higher risk of becoming violent. 4280.5.2 IMPAIRED SELF CARE Due to mental illness, these persons are not able to feed, clothed, shelter themselves, or obtain medical aid. 4280.5.3 IMPULSIVE, ERRATIC OR BIZARRE BEHAVIOR Examples of these are: •Head Banging •Self-mutilation •Rigid and unusual postures •Inappropriate nudity or sexual behavior •Directing traffic •Running in or lying down in traffic 4280.5.4 DISORIENTATION The individual is often unaware of: •Time •Place Santa Ana Police Department Santa Ana PD Procedures Manual POLICE CONTACT WITH MENTALLY ILL PERSONS Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2019/12/17, All Rights Reserved. Published with permission by Santa Ana Police DepartmentPOLICE CONTACT WITH MENTALLY ILL PERSONS - 3•Identity of self or others Specific beliefs typical of people with mental illness and thought disorders may include the person believes that he/she is being persecuted, attacked, harassed, cheated or conspired against; is Jesus Christ or the devil or has special powers. These beliefs may be the result of major depression and not the result of a psychotic disorder such as schizophrenia. 4280.5.5 HALLUCINATIONS (SCHIZOPHRENIA) False perception through any one of the senses, for example: •Hearing voices •Seeing visions •Disorganized or incoherent speech •Inability to express emotions or concentrate •Feeling bugs crawling on the skin. This is usually a result of the use/abuse of drugs or alcohol or another organic impairment 4280.5.6 DEPRESSION This emotional state is characterized by a person feeling: •Overwhelming