Masters Thesis

Bridging the gap: a resource book for law enforcement to reduce unnecessary arrests of people with mental illness and increase awareness of resources

All over the country crisis intervention teams (CIT) have developed among law enforcement agencies to address the needs of persons with mental illness that are approached by first responders in the community. These programs have proven to reduce recidivism of persons with mental illness in the jails as well as reduce stigma against mental illness (Dupont, et. al., 2007). My project was to develop a resource guide, as the preliminary piece of a CIT program, to be used by law enforcement officers in my community of Nevada County, Ca. The goal of this project was to increase collaboration of law enforcement with mental health agencies and other community partners and reduce unnecessary arrests, as well as to reduce stigma of mental illness in the community. The outcome of the survey conducted after the presentation of the resource guide proved that law enforcement officers and non law enforcement participants saw it as a beneficial tool in their work with persons with mental illness and connecting with other community partners. The community collaboration in favor of supporting those with mental illness is moving forward as a result of this project.

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