Police-Encounters-With-People-In-Crisis

CHAPTER 4. THE MENTAL HEALTH SYSTEM AND
THE TORONTO POLICE SERVICE
Table of Contents
Page
I. THE CURRENT SITUATION ............................................................................... 84
A. Mental healthcare resources in Toronto ................................................... 84
(1) The mental health system as a revolving door ............................... 84
(2) Types of mental health services in Toronto .................................... 85
(a)
In-patient and out-patient counselling
and treatment facilities ........................................................ 85
(b) Mental health crisis intervention ........................................ 86
(c) Short-term crisis support beds ............................................ 86
(d) Mental health case management ......................................... 86
(e) Assertive Community Treatment Teams ............................. 87
(f) Peer-support and self-help .................................................. 87
(g) Vocational and employment supports ................................. 88
(h) Abuse services ...................................................................... 88
(i) Housing support and special care ...................................... 88
(3) Accessibility of information regarding mental health services ...... 89
(4) Government involvement ............................................................... 90
(a)
(b)
Ontario Ministry of Community Safety
and Correctional Services .................................................... 90
Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-
Term Care ............................................................................ 91
(c) Other arms of government ................................................. 92
B. The role of the TPS in serving people in crisis .......................................... 93
(1) Serving people in crisis is a core part of policing in Toronto ......... 93
(2) Mental health and the TPS business plan ..................................... 94
(3) TPS framework for responding to people in crisis ......................... 95
(a)
Procedures governing response to
emergencies ........................................................................ 95
(b) Communications Services .................................................... 96
(c) Front line officers ................................................................ 97
(d) Supervisory officers ............................................................ 98
(e) Emergency Task Force ......................................................... 98
(f) Mobile Crisis Intervention Teams ....................................... 99
C. Points of intersection between the mental health system and the
TPS ........................................................................................................... 100
(1) Apprehensions under the Mental Health Act .............................. 100
(2) Emergency room transfer of care procedures ............................... 101
(3) Mobile Crisis Intervention Teams and their oversight ................ 104
(4) Officers in charge of mental health coordination ......................... 104
(5) Human Services and Justice Coordinating Committee ............... 105
(6) The Mental Health Sub-Committee and the involvement of
the mental health community ....................................................... 105
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