NEW ALBANY POLICE DEPARTMENT - New Albany, Ohio

NEW ALBANY POLICE DEPARTMENT - New Albany, Ohio NEW ALBANY POLICE DEPARTMENT - New Albany, Ohio

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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. 8

10.2.3 Adults over age 65 – Procedure The mind-set of a person in cognitive decline is much different than that of other adults. Therefore, questioning, report-taking, and investigating considerations should be appropriately expanded. When an officer encounters an older adult in cognitive decline, he/she should give consideration to the potential that the individual is lost but is not yet reported missing or is disoriented and at high risk of becoming lost. While initially coherent, these individuals may subsequently be recognized as being confused and disoriented. Officers should ask the individual basic questions, such as: Where are you coming from? Where are you going? What route are you taking to get there? Who are you meeting? What is your full name and address? What is your phone number? What day of the week is it? What month is it? Can you tell me what city and state you are in? What time is it right now? (Answer should be correct within one hour.) If the individual does not provide correct answers to these questions, officers should secure the person at his/her current location and notify the on duty supervisor immediately. If a substantial degree of confusion and disorientation is identified, the individual should be temporarily detained in a reasonably comfortable setting and attempts made by officer(s) to locate the individual’s family. The following procedures should be used in handling adults with cognitive decline: Identify yourself as a law enforcement officer and explain why you’ve approached the person. Maintain good eye contact. Speak slowly in a non-threatening, low-pitched voice. Loudness can convey anger; do not assume the person is hearing-impaired. Use short, simple words. Ask “yes” and “no” questions. Ask one question at a time, allowing plenty of time for a response. If necessary, repeat your question using the exact wording. People with cognitive decline may only grasp a part of the question at a time. Instead of speaking, try non-verbal communication. Prompting with action works well. Maintain a calm environment, devoid of chaos and excessive stimuli; reduce radio volume, keep squelch down and avoid use of sirens. Avoid restraints; confinement may trigger agitation, which may compound confusion and disorientation. Restraints should be used only as a last resort for the safety of the individual or others. Avoid confrontation and correcting the individual. 9

10.2.3 Adults over age 65 – Procedure<br />

The mind-set of a person in cognitive decline is much different than that of other adults.<br />

Therefore, questioning, report-taking, and investigating considerations should be appropriately<br />

expanded.<br />

When an officer encounters an older adult in cognitive decline, he/she should give consideration<br />

to the potential that the individual is lost but is not yet reported missing or is disoriented and at<br />

high risk of becoming lost. While initially coherent, these individuals may subsequently be<br />

recognized as being confused and disoriented. Officers should ask the individual basic questions,<br />

such as:<br />

<br />

<br />

<br />

<br />

<br />

<br />

Where are you coming from? Where are you going?<br />

What route are you taking to get there? Who are you meeting?<br />

What is your full name and address? What is your phone number?<br />

What day of the week is it? What month is it?<br />

Can you tell me what city and state you are in?<br />

What time is it right now? (Answer should be correct within one hour.)<br />

If the individual does not provide correct answers to these questions, officers should secure the<br />

person at his/her current location and notify the on duty supervisor immediately. If a substantial<br />

degree of confusion and disorientation is identified, the individual should be temporarily detained<br />

in a reasonably comfortable setting and attempts made by officer(s) to locate the individual’s<br />

family. The following procedures should be used in handling adults with cognitive decline:<br />

<br />

<br />

<br />

<br />

<br />

<br />

<br />

<br />

<br />

<br />

<br />

<br />

Identify yourself as a law enforcement officer and explain why you’ve approached the<br />

person.<br />

Maintain good eye contact.<br />

Speak slowly in a non-threatening, low-pitched voice.<br />

Loudness can convey anger; do not assume the person is hearing-impaired.<br />

Use short, simple words.<br />

Ask “yes” and “no” questions.<br />

Ask one question at a time, allowing plenty of time for a response.<br />

If necessary, repeat your question using the exact wording. People with cognitive decline<br />

may only grasp a part of the question at a time.<br />

Instead of speaking, try non-verbal communication. Prompting with action works well.<br />

Maintain a calm environment, devoid of chaos and excessive stimuli; reduce radio<br />

volume, keep squelch down and avoid use of sirens.<br />

Avoid restraints; confinement may trigger agitation, which may compound confusion and<br />

disorientation. Restraints should be used only as a last resort for the safety of the<br />

individual or others.<br />

Avoid confrontation and correcting the individual.<br />

9

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