Policy Text
\n\n--- Page 1 ---\n\nTALLAHASSEE POLICE DEPARTMENT
GENERAL ORDERS
SUBJECT
Mentally Ill Persons
CHIEF OF POLICE
Signature on File
Proudly Policing Since 1841 Nationally Accredited 1986
NUMBER ORIGINAL ISSUE CURRENT REVISION TOTAL PAGES
8 07/15/1985 01/27/2025 19
AUTHORITY/RELATED REFERENCES
FS Chapter 393, Developmental Disabilities
FS 394.455, Definitions (Mental Health)
FS 394.462, Transportation (Mental Health)
FS 394.4625, Voluntary Admissions
FS 394.463(1), Involuntary Examination Criteria
FS 784.07, Assault or Battery of … Emergency Medical Care Providers
FS 790.401, Risk Protection Orders
General Order 6, Arrests and Alternatives to Arrest
General Order 16, Digital Audio/Video Recording System
General Order 30, Criminal Intelligence Protocols
General Order 42, Impounding and Controlling of Property and Evidence
General Order 59, Transporting and Booking Procedures
General Order 70, Risk Protection Orders
General Order 71, Prearrest Delinquency Citation Program
General Order 72, Search and Seizure
General Order 92, TEAM Unit
Leon County Behavioral Health Transportation Plan
Mental Health Services Agreement
ACCREDITATION REFERENCES
CALEA Chapters 1, 41, 70, 82
CFA Chapter 24
KEY WORD INDEX
Assault/Battery of Emergency Medical Care Provider Procedure XII
Assessment of a Mentally Ill Person Procedure II
Documentation Requirements Procedure XI
Legal Guidelines Procedure VII
Medical Aid Protocols – Protective Custody Procedure VIII\n\n--- Page 2 ---\n\nTALLAHASSEE POLICE DEPARTMENT
Recognition Guidelines Procedure I
Return of Firearms and Ammunition (Baker Act) Procedure V
Seizure/Surrender of Firearms/Ammunition (Baker Act) Procedure IV
Training Requirements Procedure XIII
Transportation Protocols – Protective Custody Procedure IX
Voluntary Admissions Procedure III
When a Crime Has Been Committed Procedure VI
POLICY
All members who, in the course of their official duties, contact a person believed
to be mentally ill or experiencing a mental health crisis are responsible for
respecting the person’s dignity. Additionally, officers are responsible for adhering
to established Department protocols and applicable statutes regarding the
assessment and stabilization of the person.
DEFINITIONS
Baker Act: The commonly used term referring to the statutory provisions of FS
Chapter 394, Part I, the Florida Mental Health Act.
Firearm Possession Disability: As defined in Florida Statutes, the prohibition
of a person from possessing a firearm because they have been 1) convicted of
specific crimes (e.g., all felonies and certain misdemeanors), 2) adjudicated
mentally defective, or 3) committed to a mental institution.
Involuntary Examination: A statutorily approved mental health examination
performed against the wishes of the person being examined.
Licensed Mental Health Provider (LMHP): A behavioral health professional
who holds a valid state license in disciplines such as: Clinical Social Work
(LCSW), Mental Health Counseling (LMHC), or Marriage and Family Therapy
(LMFT). These professionals are qualified to assess, diagnose, and treat
individuals with mental health conditions, provide crisis intervention, and deliver
therapeutic services in clinical and community-based settings. In addition, they
are able to initiate involuntary evaluations under Baker Act and Marchman Act.
Mental Health Crisis: State of mind in which a person is unable to cope with
and adjust to the recurrent stresses of everyday living in a functional, safe way.
This term does not include a developmental disability as defined in FS Chapter
393, intoxication, or conditions manifested only by antisocial behavior or
substance abuse.
GENERAL ORDER 8 PAGE 2 of 19
MENTALLY ILL PERSONS JANUARY 27, 2025\n\n--- Page 3 ---\n\nTALLAHASSEE POLICE DEPARTMENT
Mental Illness (Mentally Ill): Any ongoing health condition characterized by
impairment of a person’s normal cognitive, emotional, or behavioral functioning.
This term does not include a developmental disability as defined in FS Chapter
393, intoxication, or conditions manifested only by antisocial behavior or
substance abuse.
Protective Custody: The act of a law enforcement officer placing a person who
has met certain criteria into custody in order to deliver the person to an
authorized receiving facility for an involuntary examination.
Qualified Professional: As defined in the Florida Mental Health Act, a
physician, clinical psychologist, psychiatric nurse, mental health counselor,
marriage and family therapist, or clinical social worker.
Receiving Facility: A public or private facility designated by the State of Florida
to receive and hold or refer, as appropriate, involuntary patients under
emergency conditions for mental health or substance abuse evaluation, and to
provide treatment or transportation to the appropriate service provider.
The Central Receiving Facility (CRF) is located at the Apalachee Center for
Human Services (ACHS). Per FS 394.455, a county jail is not a receiving facility.
The Designated Receiving Facility partners include inpatient programs at
Tallahassee Memorial Hospital BHC and HCA Behavioral Health.
Risk Protection Order (RPO): A court order against a person (respondent) who
poses a significant danger of causing personal injury to themselves or others by
possessing firearms or ammunition.
An RPO allows designated law enforcement officers to collect or seize the
respondent’s firearms, ammunition, and any license to carry a concealed
weapon/firearm, and prohibits the respondent from purchasing, possessing, or
receiving a firearm or any ammunition.
There are temporary and long-term RPOs, the latter of which prohibits the
respondent from possessing firearms and ammunition for a period of up to 12
months.
TEAM Unit Officer: An officer with specialized knowledge and experience
regarding law enforcement, intervention services, and Crisis Intervention.
Officers assigned to the TEAM Unit are uniformed personnel whose
responsibilities include crisis intervention and substance abuse.
Voluntary Admission: The intentional act of a person willingly submitting to a
mental health examination.
GENERAL ORDER 8 PAGE 3 of 19
MENTALLY ILL PERSONS JANUARY 27, 2025\n\n--- Page 4 ---\n\nTALLAHASSEE POLICE DEPARTMENT
PROCEDURES
I. TEAM UNIT ASSISTANCE
A. The TEAM Unit (Tallahassee Emergency Assessment Mobile Unit)
provides a coordinated response to mental health crisis calls,
emphasizing de-escalation, immediate support, and connection to
appropriate resources while minimizing the involvement of emergency
patrol units and judicial interventions.
B. When a mental health call is dispatched to patrol officers, a Sergeant
may request assistance from a TEAM Unit Officer to respond in place
of or in addition to the patrol officer.
C. A Sergeant may also request a low priority mental health call be held
for a TEAMS Officer response.
II. RECOGNITION GUIDELINES – ALL MEMBERS
A. Although the behavior displayed by a person experiencing a mental
health crisis will vary based upon their particular mental illness, the
following signs and symptoms may indicate the person is in need of
prompt medical or mental health assistance:
1. Confused thinking,
2. Feelings of extreme highs and lows,
3. Excessive fears, worries and anxieties,
4. Strong feelings of anger,
5. Strange thoughts (delusions),
6. Seeing or hearing things that are not there (hallucinations), and/or
7. Suicidal thoughts.
B. In the event a civilian member is confronted by someone who appears
to need assistance because of a mental illness, or is experiencing a
mental health crisis, the member should promptly request assistance
from an on-duty police officer or contact the Watch Commander.
GENERAL ORDER 8 PAGE 4 of 19
MENTALLY ILL PERSONS JANUARY 27, 2025\n\n--- Page 5 ---\n\nTALLAHASSEE POLICE DEPARTMENT
III. ASSESSMENT OF A MENTALLY ILL PERSON
General Assessment Information –
A. When an officer encounters a person they have reason to believe is
mentally ill and/or is experiencing a mental health cris