Police interventions with mentally disturbed individuals
This article applies script analysis to police interventions with an emotionally disturbed person (EDP) in order to identify factors associated with the use of force. Data were extracted from 130 police reports. The script was divided into five steps: (1) answering the call and dispatching police officers; (2) arriving on the scene; (3) assessing the EDP; (4) intervening with the EDP; and (5) managing the EDP. Results indicate that police use of force is more likely when a third party is in danger. Conversely, the presence of a person with a good relationship with the EPD is negatively associated with the use of force. Results also show that police use of force is the result of exchanges between the officer and the EPD. Coercive communication strategies often decrease collaboration and lack of collaboration is more likely to lead to the police use of force. Finally, findings suggest that a theory of the use of force should incorporate situational factors such as interactions between the police officer and the suspect.