NEW ALBANY POLICE DEPARTMENT - New Albany, Ohio

10.2.1 Policy
NEW ALBANY POLICE DEPARTMENT
Directive 10.2 - Handling of Mentally Ill or Elderly Persons
The New Albany Police Department recognizes that if a person reasonably appears to be
mentally ill or is elderly, presents a risk of serious harm to himself/herself or others, or is unable to
provide for his/her own basic personal needs, he/she should be taken into custody. A mentally ill
person may also be taken into custody pursuant to an official court order. In order to protect the
individual’s dignity, the individual should always be taken into custody in the least conspicuous
manner possible.
10.2.2 Mentally Ill Persons - Procedure
A. If a mentally ill individual does not need immediate medical treatment, he/she will
generally be transported to a community mental health center. The centers utilized by
the New Albany Police Department are as follows:
NetCare - 614-276-2273
741 E. Broad St. (located in downtown Columbus)
199 S. Central Ave. (located on the west side of Columbus)
Additionally, NetCare may refuse an individual if:
‣ The facility is at maximum capacity
‣ Officer is unavailable to meet with the triage nurse
‣ The individual is extremely violent
OSU Medical Center - 614-293-8333
410 W. Tenth Ave.
Columbus, OH 43210
B. If the person is not displaying any aggressive or violent behavior, police personnel will
not be required to remain with the individual.
C. As a courtesy, the Department may transport mentally ill individuals from one mental
health facility to another, provided each of the following conditions is satisfied:
The individual is, or is likely to be, violent.
All arrangements have been made between both facilities.
The on-duty supervisor determines that demands for service can be adequately
handled while the transporting officer(s) are busy.
D. If a mentally ill individual has misdemeanor charges pending, he/she will be transported
to a mental health center for evaluation. If he/she is to be held for further evaluation,
the officer shall issue a summons or file a criminal complaint and warrant with the
Clerk of Courts.
E. If the charge is a felony, the mentally ill individual should be processed as any other
prisoner unless the individual displays exceptionally bizarre behavior. If the individual
must obtain mental health services, an officer will advise the on-duty supervisor and
standby with the prisoner until a decision is made by the on-duty supervisor.
F. The Probation Officer may also be contacted for assistance, if necessary.
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