Transcription
Los Angeles Police DepartmentMental Evaluation UnitJanuary 2020Specialized Policing Responses:Law Enforcement/Mental Health Learning SiteOctober 15, 2010March 29, 2011 / June 20, 2012The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) has implemented several complementary program responses to address thecomplex mental health needs within its jurisdiction. For over four decades, the LAPD has deployed the Mental Evaluation Unit(MEU) to assist police officers with mental health calls for service. In 1993, Los Angeles was one of the first communities todevelop police/mental health co-responder teams (Systemwide Mental Assessment Response Team, or SMART). The programis co-supported by the Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health (LACDMH) and is the largest of its kind in thecountry. The program was designed to effectively engage and link persons with a mental health disorder to appropriateservices. In 2003 the Department implemented a Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) training (40 hours) and strategy as a pilot.The CIT pilot program was assessed and discontinued in 2004; however, an expansion of the MEU/SMART strategy wasinitiated. In 2006 the Department delivered the Introduction to Mental Health training (24 hours) and over 800 officers weretrained between the two courses.Even after the implementation of the above strategies, a fundamental problem remained involving persons with a mental healthdisorder who were the subject of a high number of emergency calls for service. Those calls for service cost the City and Countymillions of dollars in emergency resources without effective or measurable outcomes. In 2005, the LAPD developed the CaseAssessment and Management Program (CAMP) to identify, monitor, and engage those subjects and to construct a casemanagement approach that links them to appropriate services. The CAMP averages 15-20 new cases each week and its casesnever close. The CAMP pairs police detectives with psychologists, nurses and/or social workers from the LACDMH to developlong-term solutions for the individual client’s needs.In 2014, the Department reviewed its mental health training and a re-design was initiated. At the end of the 2014, theDepartment presented a POST-approved Mental Health Intervention Training (MHIT), which is a 40-hour course that isdelivered 25 times a year to first responders (officers) who have the greatest likelihood of interaction with persons who sufferfrom a mental health disorder and who are in crisis.In 2015, the Department, in partnership with the LACDMH, implemented an expansion plan that will double the number ofSMART units that are deployed and establish Bureau liaison officers in each geographic Bureau. This expansion wascompleted in September 2016, increasing the deployment of SMART to 17 units a day. In addition, the MEU added a SeniorLead Program (community liaison officers) establishing a liaison with the community, service providers, and uniformed patroldivisions, engaging in outreach and problem-solving activities, bridging obstacles encountered by the strategy.The MEU/SMART operates 24-hours/7-days-a-week, including the MEU-Triage Desk. The primary function of the TriageDesk is to triage all Department contacts with persons who suffer from a mental health disorder. Triage personnel provideadvice and guidance to responding officers in the field and document all Department contacts with the mentally ill, who are incrisis, on a Mental Evaluation Incident Report. Those reports and database are separate from the Crime Analysis Databases andare protected from outside access, which protects the privacy of the individuals who are contacted. A triage mental healthprofessional is co-located with the officer and queries the LACDMH database to identify case managers, psychiatrists, ortreatment centers. Collectively, the triage staff determines whether to dispatch a SMART unit or to direct the patrol officers totransport the person directly to a mental health facility. If the Triage personnel determine that a person has repeatedly contactedpolice or has demonstrated high risk behaviors, the case will be referred to the CAMP for more intensive case management.
LOS ANGELES POLICE DEPARTMENT – MENTAL EVALUATION UNIT PROGRAM OVERVIEWPROGRAM HIGHLIGHTSLOS ANGELES POLICE DEPARTMENT MANUAL1/240.30 Contact With Persons Suffering From a Mental Illness. In police contacts with persons sufferingfrom a mental illness, the goal of the Department is to provide a humane, cooperative, compassionate andeffective law enforcement response to persons within our community who are afflicted with mental illness.The Department seeks to reduce the potential for violence during police contacts involving people sufferingfrom mental illness while simultaneously assessing the mental health services available to assist. Thisrequires a commitment to problem solving, partnership, and supporting a coordinated effort from lawenforcement, mental health services and the greater community of Los Angeles. Multi-layered approach that includes co-deployed response, MHIT and follow-up teams.Comprehensive data collection and information-sharing procedures.Mental health professionals embedded in law enforcement agency.Staffed by 105 sworn officers and 50 LADMH clinicians.OVERVIEW OF MENTAL EVALUATION–RELATED OPERATIONSCRISIS RESPONSE SUPPORTSECTIONMental Illness Project Coordinator (MIP)THREAT MANAGEMENT UNITMENTAL EVALUATION UNIT SMARTCAMPTRIAGESENIOR LEAD OFFICER PROGRAMADMIN-TRAINING DETAILThe primary mission of the MEU is to handle mental health crisis calls-for-service in support of patroloperations. The MEU evaluates persons who pose a danger to themselves or to others per Welfareand Institutions Code (WIC) §5150. The MEU refers mental health disorders and homeless outreachmissions to other designated non-law enforcement Los Angeles County Mental Health resources.2Last updated February 24, 2020
LOS ANGELES POLICE DEPARTMENT – MENTAL EVALUATION UNIT PROGRAM OVERVIEW2019 Calls for Service20,758WIC §5150 Hospitalization Rate69%MISSION STATEMENTReferred to Mental Health Services5%The mission of the Mental Evaluation Unit is to reduce the potential for violence during police contactsthat involve people who suffer from mental health disorder and to simultaneously assess the mentalhealth services available to assist them.GOALS Prevent unnecessary incarceration and/or hospitalization of mentally illindividuals. Provide alternate care in the least restrictive environment through acoordinated and comprehensive system-wide approach. Prevent the duplication of mental health services. Facilitate the speedy return of police patrol units to patrol activities.MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS RESPONSE PROGRAM (MHCRP)The MHCRP is established as a function under Detective Bureau. The Assistant CommandingOfficer, Chief of Detectives, is the MHCRP Coordinator. The Officer-in-Charge of the CrisisResponse Support Section, Detective Support and Vice Division, is the Mental Illness ProjectCoordinator whose responsibilities include the following: Represent the Department on all matters involving police response to mental health crises.Maintain, attend and support the MHCRP Advisory Board, which meets quarterly and consists ofcommunity stakeholders and persons in the mental health community;Provide information to outside agencies regarding Department procedures for handling personswith mental health disorder;Analyze state and federal legislation that affect persons with mental health disorders;Maintain liaison with DMH and hospitals on issues related to persons with mental health disorders;Design and conduct in-service mental health disorder training, and provide expertise and supportto Training Division regarding all recruit officer mental health disorder-related training;Conduct audits of non-categorical Use of Force reports that involve persons with indicators of amental health disorder;Coordinate data collection to evaluate Department mental health crisis response; and,Review and revise Department strategies, policies, and procedures related to the handling ofpersons with a mental health disorder.3Last updated February 24, 2020
LOS ANGELES POLICE DEPARTMENT – MENTAL EVALUATION UNIT PROGRAM OVERVIEWMENTAL EVALUATION UNIT (MEU)OVERVIEW OF MEU RESPONSIBILITIES Conduct preliminary investigations of persons who come to the attention of law enforcement andare suspected of having a mental health disorder, amnesia, senility, post-alcoholic or deliriumtremors, and/or who require psychopathic examinations. Investigate persons suspected of being escapees from mental institutions. Coordinate the assignment of State Department of Mental Hygiene apprehension andtransportation orders. Arrange, upon request, for uniformed officers to assist Lanterman-Petris-Short Act (LPS)designated Psychiatric Mobile Response Teams or court designated conservators in theapprehension of persons who have a mental health disorder and are placed on a mental healthhold. Maintain, amend, and distribute the Department "Incidents Involving Persons Suspected of havinga mental health disorder," Notebook Divider. Provide advice to officers on the confiscation and disposition of firearms or other deadly weaponsconfiscated from persons with mental health disorder. Provide information on attempt suicide, barricaded suspect, or hostage incidents that involvepersons with a mental health disorder. Assist field officers with intervention, referral, or placement of a person with a mental healthdisorder to prevent the unnecessary incarceration and/or hospitalization of that person. Provide roll-call training relative to MEU and SMART responsibilities. Maintain liaison with the Missing Persons Unit to determine whether a reported missing personwas placed on a 72-hour hold. Provide staff support for the MHCRP Coordinator and Advisory Committee. Maintain liaison with DMH and hospitals regarding policies and procedures that involve thedetention and involuntary holds of persons with suspected of having a mental health disorder. Provide analysis of state and federal legislation pertinent to law enforcement encounters withpersons with suspected of having a mental health disorder. Provide expertise and support to Training Division regarding all mental health disorder-relatedtraining. Provide all in-service training in regards to the Departments response to persons who have amental health disorder. Conduct audits of categorical and non-categorical Use of Force reports that involve persons withindicators of a mental health disorder. Review completed Use of Force reports with indicators of a mental health disorder. Coordinate data collection to evaluate Department mental health crisis response. Review, initiate and coordinate Department mental health-related training courses. Maintain liaison with Psychiatric Hospitals and Mental Health Agencies. Maintain the Following Special Files: Requests for psychiatric examination reports; and, Unserved apprehension and transportation orders.4Last updated February 24, 2020
LOS ANGELES POLICE DEPARTMENT – MENTAL EVALUATION UNIT PROGRAM OVERVIEWSYSTEMWIDE MENTAL ASSESSMENT RESPONSE TEAM (SMART) OVERVIEW Assist Department police officers whenever they contact persons with a suspected of having amental health disorder.Provide intervention, referral, or placement for a person with a mental health disorder to facilitatethe speedy return of field officers to other field duties.Prevent unnecessary incarceration and/or hospitalization of persons with a mental health disorder.Provide alternate care in the least restrictive environment through a coordinated andcomprehensive systemwide approach.Assist with intelligence functions at critical incidents.Assist with psychologically impaired victims at disaster scenes.CASE ASSESSMENT AND MANAGEMENT PROGRAM (CAMP) OVERVIEW Manage cases that involve persons with a history of violent criminal activity caused by a mentalhealth disorder.Manage cases that involve persons with a history of a mental health disorder who have causednumerous responses by law enforcement and the deployment of substantial police resources.Prevent unnecessary incarceration and/or hospitalization of persons with a mental health disorder.Provide alternate care in the least restrictive environment through a coordinated andcomprehensive systemwide approach.Maintain a file of Weapon Confiscation Receipts.CAMP CASES INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO: Subjects who attempt Suicide by Cop (SBC);Subjects who frequently utilize emergency services and/or abuse the 911 system;Subjects who are the subject of a SWAT response and/or high profile tactical operation;Veterans who suffer from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder or other mental health disorder;Subjects involved in acts of targeted school violence;Mentally ill prohibited possessors (to ensure the seizure of all known firearms); and,Subjects enrolled in the State of California, Department of Mental Health, Conditional ReleaseProgram (ConRep).Providing Alternatives To Hinder Extremism (P.A.T.H.E.) strategy The P.A.T.H.E. is a risk assessment and management strategy used to identify behaviors,exhibited by a person suffering from a mental health disorder or mental health crisis, which areindicative of being on a pathway to a future act(s) of targeted mass violence. The P.A.T.H.E.includes tailored intervention strategies designed to assess, intervene, and manage theidentified behaviors and provide supportive alternatives in order to divert the person, whilemanaging the causative factors of the identified behaviors. The P.A.T.H.E. operates in thenon-criminal space and is not designed as a criminal prosecutorial tool. If a criminal act isidentified, then the case will be referred to the appropriate investigative entity.5Last updated February 24, 2020
LOS ANGELES POLICE DEPARTMENT – MENTAL EVALUATION UNIT PROGRAM OVERVIEWTRIAGE DESK Receive mental health crisis calls from patrol operations.Vet incoming calls and dispatch SMART to handle calls for service, as appropriate.Manage radio calls and SMART deployment.Coordinate client hospitalization for patrol personnel.Prepare MEU investigative reports.Maintain the MEU Incident Tracking database.Coordinate outside agency response resources.Make appropriate notifications.Forward follow-up referrals to CAMP.6Last updated February 24, 2020
LOS ANGELES POLICE DEPARTMENT – MENTAL EVALUATION UNIT PROGRAM OVERVIEWADMINISTRATION AND TRAININGTRAINING PROVIDED TO OUTSIDE LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIESSince 1993, the MEU has trained personnel from the following agencies as a model co-responseprogram. In 2010, the MEU was distinguished as a National Learning Site.Maricopa County Sheriff OfficeAlhambra Police DepartmentBell Gardens Police DepartmentBeverly Hills Police DepartmentBurbank Police DepartmentEl Segundo Police DepartmentContra Costa County – City of ConcordDowney Police DepartmentEscondido Police DepartmentGlendale Police DepartmentGlenn County Sheriff OfficeHuntington Park Police DepartmentInglewood Police DepartmentIrvine Police DepartmentLa Verne Police DepartmentLong Beach Police DepartmentLos Angeles Unified School District PoliceMonterey Police DepartmentMountain View Police DepartmentNewport Police DepartmentOakland Police DepartmentOxnard Police DepartmentPasadena Police DepartmentPetaluma Police DepartmentRedondo Beach Police DepartmentRedwood City Police DepartmentRiverside Police DepartmentSan Diego Police Department PERTSan Diego Sheriff OfficeLos Angeles County Sheriff’s DepartmentLos Angeles World AirportsSan Bernardino CountySan Francisco Police DepartmentSanta Clara County SheriffPomona Police DepartmentMoorabbin Police, MelbourneNew South Wales Police DepartmentQueensland Police DepartmentVictoria Police Department, MelbourneMinistere PublicFTAC London Metropolitan PoliceAustrian Federal PoliceUnited StatesSanta Ana Police DepartmentSanta Monica Police DepartmentSignal Hill Police DepartmentSonoma County Sheriff OfficeSouthgate Police DepartmentTorrance Police DepartmentVentura Police DepartmentVernon Police DepartmentWest Covina Police DepartmentDenver Crime CommissionStamford Police DepartmentPortland Maine Police Department,Baltimore Co. Maryland Sheriff OfficeBaltimore Police DepartmentNational Security AgencyBoston Police DepartmentWoodbury Police DepartmentLas Vegas Police DepartmentBureau of Police, PortlandAllegheny County SheriffAustin Police DepartmentHouston Police DepartmentPlano Police DepartmentTarrant County SheriffTexas Tech UniversityWilliamson County Sheriff OfficeDefense Intelligence AgencyNational Intelligence AgencyBellevue Police DepartmentNew York Police DepartmentUnified Police of Greater Salt LakeTucson Police DepartmentRochester Police DepartmentPinal County SheriffDHS TSA Federal Air MarshalINTERNATIONALSINCE 2010AustraliaCalgary Police DepartmentAustraliaToronto Police DepartmentAustraliaMontreal Police DepartmentAustraliaNorthern Ireland Police DepartmentBelgiumLeicestershire ConstabularyUnited KingdomBosnian PoliceAustriaFinnish National nia7Last updated February 24, xasTexasTexasTexasVirginiaVirginiaWashingtonNew YorkUtahArizonaNew YorkArizonaNew JerseyCanadaCanadaCanadaUnited KingdomUnited KingdomBosniaFinland
LOS ANGELES POLICE DEPARTMENT – MENTAL EVALUATION UNIT PROGRAM OVERVIEWCRISIS INTERVENTION TEAM (CIT) TRAINING (40 HOURS, 2002-2004) ANDINTRODUCTION TO MENTAL HEALTH TRAINING (IMHT) (24 HOURS, 2006-2012)In response to the Federal Consent Decree, MEU developed a 40-hour Crisis Intervention Training (CIT)based on the Memphis Model that was established in 1988. The course was piloted from 2002 through2003. At the conclusion of the CIT pilot, the Department chose not to continue the course and it droppedfrom the California Peace Officer Standards and Training (CA-POST) list of certified courses ofinstruction.In 2006, MEU developed the Introduction to Mental Health Training, which was a 24-hour CA-POSTcertified course. The IMHT course was delivered from 2006 to 2012. At the end of 2012, the Departmentdetermined that the course required substantial update, so it was decertified and dropped from the CAPOST list of certified courses of instruction. To date, 801 Department personnel have received either the24-hour or 40-hour mental health courses of instruction.LAPD:Outside agencies:Total:801129930OUTSIDE AGENCIES TRAINED IN CIT AND IMHT BY LAPDBeverly Hills Police DepartmentMaricopa County Sheriff OfficeCity Attorney InvestigatorsMayors Crisis Response TeamFederal Bureau of InvestigationPomona Police DepartmentHawthorne Police DepartmentRedondo Beach Police DepartmentLos Angeles Airport Police DepartmentSocial Security Administration InvestigatorsLos Angeles County Sheriff Office, CTUUnited States Secret ServiceLos Angeles County Sheriff Office, Mental Evaluation TeamUniversity of Southern California Department of Public SafetyLos Angeles Unified School District Police DepartmentNew York Police DepartmentMENTAL HEALTH INTERVENTION TRAINING (MHIT) 40 HOURS (ESTABLISHED SEPTEMBER 2014)In 2013 the MEU and Police Training and Education (PTE) began development of an updated mentalhealth training course, and in 2015, the MHIT was developed, CA-POST certified and delivered.The course includes an overview of mental health disorders, crisis de-escalation and communicationtechniques, the Force Options Simulator (FOS) and situation simulations that were designed to test thestudents’ understanding of, and ability to apply, their knowledge. The MHIT is a paradigm shift from thelecture-based, PowerPoint-driven, instruction of the past, as it utilizes small interactive groups thatchallenge the students to work as teams and participate in a facilitated learning environment. This courseis Senate Bill 29 Compliant. The course also includes blocks of instruction from: The Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health The Autism Society of Los Angeles (ASLA); and, The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI).The LAPD has provided MHIT training to the following number of students, year-to-date:*LAPD (sworn):3085Outside Agencies (below):381Total:34668Last updated February 24, 2020
LOS ANGELES POLICE DEPARTMENT – MENTAL EVALUATION UNIT PROGRAM OVERVIEWOUTSIDE AGENCIES TRAINED IN MHIT BY LAPDAlhambra Police DepartmentBell Police DepartmentBell Gardens Police DepartmentBureau of Justice Assistance, Department of JusticeBurbank Police DepartmentCalifornia Highway PatrolCalifornia State University Los Angeles PoliceCouncil of State Governments, Justice CenterCulver City Police DepartmentEl Camino College Police DepartmentGlendale Police DepartmentGardena Police DepartmentHawthorne Police DepartmentDowney Police DepartmentLeicestershire Constabulary, United KingdomLos Angeles Airport Police DepartmentLos Angeles City Fire DepartmentLos Angeles City Park RangerLos Angeles County Sheriff’s DepartmentLos Angeles Department of Mental HealthLos Angeles School Police DepartmentLos Angeles World Airport PoliceMontebello Police DepartmentMonterey Park Police DepartmentNew York Police Department, New YorkPomona Police DepartmentQueensland, AustraliaRedondo Beach Police DepartmentRochester Police Department, New YorkSan Bernardino County SheriffsSignal Hill Police DepartmentSonoma County SheriffSouth Gate Police DepartmentTorrance Police DepartmentTucson Police Department, ArizonaUnified Police of Greater Salt Lake City, UtahUniversity of Southern CaliforniaDHS TSA Federal Air MarshalUnited States Army Criminal Investigation DivisionFederal Bureau of InvestigationUnited States Veteran Affairs PoliceCRISIS INTERVENTION -MENTAL HEALTH INTERVENTION TRAINING UPDATE (CI-MHIT) 8 HOURS (JANUARY 2017)The course includes an overview of mental health disorders, crisis de-escalation and communicationtechniques, the Force Options Simulator (FOS) and situation simulations that were designed to test thestudents’ understanding of, and ability to apply, their knowledge. This course is Senate Bill 29 Compliantand is designed specifically for Field Training Officers.The LAPD has provided CI-MHIT update training to the following number of students, year-to-date:*Total LAPD (sworn):4289Last updated February 24, 2020
LOS ANGELES POLICE DEPARTMENT – MENTAL EVALUATION UNIT PROGRAM OVERVIEWADDITIONAL MENTAL HEALTH-RELATED TRAININGThe MEU conducts or distributes the following training courses throughout the year:Classroom Mental Health Intervention Training (40 hours) 24 times a year Field Training Officer (FTO) Update Course (SB29 – 4 hours) all FTOs every two years Mental Health Intervention Training Update Course (8 hours) every two years Mental Illness Introduction for Adult Corrections Officers (8 hours) Dispatcher – Persons with Mental Illness (8 hours) Armed Prohibited Persons/Mental Health Firearms Prohibition System (2 hours) Crisis Communication for First Responders (8 hours) Combat to Community/Police and Veteran Interaction (8 hours) School Threat Assessment Response Team (8 hours)E-Learning Mental Illness – Use of Force and Crisis Intervention Mental Illness – Use of Force and Crisis Intervention – Update Legal Environment – Policing the Mentally Ill Mood Disorders Communicating with People with DisabilitiesTele-course Recognizing Mental Illness: A Proactive ApproachMandated TrainingIn May 2014, all LAPD sworn personnel (over 9,900) were mandated to complete the two-hour CAPOST 2013 Mental Health Update course. To date, 98% have successfully completed the trainingand the remaining 2% were unable to complete the training due to long-term illness or injury.As of February 2016, all LAPD sworn personnel completed a one-hour Crisis Communications forFirst Responders Course that was presented by the MEU staff as part of the Public Trust Training.10Last updated February 24, 2020
LOS ANGELES POLICE DEPARTMENT – MENTAL EVALUATION UNIT PROGRAM OVERVIEW9-1-1 PROTOCOLSAll Police Service Representatives (PSRs) have received eight hours of training titled, “Persons withMental Illness.” The purpose of the training was to ensure that calls involving persons with a mentalillness are properly categorized, dispatched, and to ensure that sufficient information is provided toresponding patrol officers. This includes information such as diagnosis, medication(s), threateningbehavior, and/or weapon(s). Calls for service involving a mental illness are call-typed as thefollowing: 918 M918 F918 VM918 J918 VF918 VJ918 AM918 PM918 AF918 PF9073907A3Male with Mental IllnessFemale with Mental IllnessViolent Male with Mental IllnessJuvenile with Mental IllnessViolent Female with Mental IllnessViolent Juvenile with Mental IllnessAmbulance Male with Mental IllnessPossible Male with Mental IllnessAmbulance Female with Mental IllnessPossible Female with Mental IllnessAttempt SuicideAmbulance Attempt SuicideADDITIONAL PROTOCOLS INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING: In incidents that involve mental health and a crime, the crime code takes precedence; however,the PSR gathers additional information regarding the mental health issue. Uniformed patrol officers are dispatched to all calls that involve a person in a mental health crisis,including Ambulance Attempt Suicide/Suicide calls. A notation is made by the PSR in the Incident Detail, “*CONTACT MENTAL EVALUATION UNITIMMEDIATELY UPON SCENE STABILIZATION 213/996-1300*” on all calls for service thatinvolve a person with a mental health disorder. Patrol officers conduct a preliminary investigation to determine whether there is a mental illnessand then contact MEU for advice and possible dispatch of a SMART unit. If there is a medical emergency, the patrol officer must conduct an on-scene investigation,conduct a follow-up to the hospital and provide their findings to the admitting staff.11Last updated February 24, 2020
LOS ANGELES POLICE DEPARTMENT – MENTAL EVALUATION UNIT PROGRAM OVERVIEWFIELD PROTOCOLS FOR CALL MANAGEMENT AND DIVERSIONAfter an incident is tactically stable, patrol officers must conduct an assessment of the detainedindividual to determine whether there is a mental health disorder and whether the individual meetscriteria for an involuntary mental health hold (WIC §5150). The incident can be managed by aSMART unit, if available, or by the patrol officers with the guidance of the MEU.NOTIFICATIONSAny incident commander, crisis negotiation team, or officer who is in charge of an attempted suicide,barricaded suspect, or hostage incident shall notify the Mental Evaluation Unit, Detective Support andVice Division, for information regarding the involved person. (Department Manual §4/260.15)When the only reason for detention is the person’s suspected mental health disorder, the MEU MUSTbe contacted PRIOR to transporting an apparently mentally ill person to any health facility or hospital.Exception: If the subject is injured and requires immediate medical treatment, the MEUmust be contacted after the subject is transported to an appropriate medical facility.When a person with a suspected mental health disorder has been taken into custody for a criminaloffense, MEU MUST be contacted PRIOR to the person being booked (Department Manual§4/260.20).Officers who receive information from a mental health professional regarding a potential threat toany person (Tarasoff Notification) must immediately notify MEU.ARREST AND BOOKINGWhen a person is taken into custody for a criminal offense and the person is suspected of having amental health disorder, the MEU shall be contacted prior to the person being booked. When asubject is a suspect in a felony or high-grade misdemeanor crime, or has a felony or high-grademisdemeanor warrant, the criminal matters shall take precedence. If the subject is under arrest for alow-grade misdemeanor crime, misdemeanor warrant, or infraction, and meets the criteria for anApplication for 72-hour Detention for Evaluation and Treatment, booking is at the discretion of theArea watch commander. Arrestees suffering from a mental health disorder may be booked at anyDepartment jail facility. Brief information concerning the mental health disorder should bedocumented in any booking reports and under the "Additional" heading in the Arrest Report.The MEU, Detective Support and Vice Division, is available for advice and assistance in facilitatingthe transfer of the subject to a Los Angeles County jail facility. Any questions concerning the arrest,booking, housing, or transfer of an individual suspected of having a mental health disorder should bedirected to the MEU Watch Commander. If the subject is not booked for the criminal offense, officersshall complete the appropriate criminal Investigative Report (IR).12Last updated February 24, 2020
LOS ANGELES POLICE DEPARTMENT – MENTAL EVALUATION UNIT PROGRAM OVERVIEWJAIL MONITORING All Adult Corrections Officers (ACOs) have received eight hours of training titled “Mental IllnessIntroduction for Adult Corrections Officers.”All sworn jail personnel have received four hours of mental illness related training.All arrestees are screened during the booking process and ACOs ensure that the arresting officershave notified the MEU if the arrestee indicated that he/she suffers from a mental health disorder,which will prompt an MEU information report.If an arrestee is determined to be in a mental health crisis or is suffering from a chronic mental illness,and the arrestee can be released on their own re
LOS ANGELES POLICE DEPARTMENT - MENTAL EVALUATION UNIT PROGRAM OVERVIEW 4 Last updated February 24, 2020 MENTAL EVALUATION UNIT (MEU) OVERVIEW OF MEU RESPONSIBILITIES Conduct preliminary investigations of persons who come to the attention of law enforcement and are suspected of having a mental health disorder, amnesia, senility, post-alcoholic or delirium
