Police-Encounters-With-People-In-Crisis

Table 1. IACP Model Policies v. Ontario guidelines/TPS Procedures
Topic IACP Ontario/TPS
Mental health
indicators
Training on behaviours
indicative of mental illness or
crisis
Training that most mental
health calls result from crisis,
not criminal activity
Training that many behaviours
indicative of mental health crisis
precede attacks on officers
Training to respond to subject’s
behaviour, not mental state
De-escalation Multiple de-escalation
techniques, and methods of
communicating with person in
crisis
Communication considered a useof-force
option; minimal focus on
different methods of
communication, non-verbal deescalation
techniques
Police to establish themselves
as helpers, not enforcers;
communication as a control
strategy
Police Challenge is the only
communication example provided
3. UN principles on use of force
53. The United Nations has articulated international standards regarding conduct
and the use of force by police. These include the UN Basic Principles on the Use of Force
and Firearms by Law Enforcement Officials, 47 and the UN Code of Conduct for Law
Enforcement Officials. 48 The UN recognizes law enforcement as a social service of great
importance, and the significance of protecting the life and safety of police. The Code of
Conduct authorizes use of force only when strictly necessary and to the extent required
to fulfill the officer’s duty. The Code of Conduct requires due respect for human rights
and consideration of the ethical issues that relate to the use of force on civilians. In light
of its focus on avoiding lethal force, the UN recommends that officers be equipped with
a variety of weapons as well as defensive equipment such as shields and bullet proof
vests.
54. The UN Basic Principles require initial screening of officers to ensure they have
the appropriate moral, physical, and psychological attributes for the role, and also
recommend periodic review of these qualities. Training should include discussion of
police ethics and human rights, alternatives to the use of force, and methods of
persuasion, negotiation and mediation. The UN further requires discipline and
47
United Nations Congress on the Prevention of Crime and the Treatment of Offenders, Basic Principles on the Use of Force and
Firearms by Law Enforcement Officials, UNDOC, 8th, 1990 [UN, Basic Principles].
48
Code of Conduct for Law Enforcement Officials, GA Res 34/169, UN GAOR, 34th Sess., (1979) 185 [UN, Code of Conduct].
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