Week 2

MentalHealthCrisisResponseTeamprogram.docx

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Mental Health Crisis Response Team Program

Thesis Statement

Police officers are often involved in mental health crisis response, even though they do not have specific training on how to respond to behavioral health crises. A Mental Health Crisis Response Team (MHCRT) program in which trained police officers are engaged to work with mental health practitioners can result in better outcomes of the crisis, fewer unwarranted arrests, and provide people with mental health crises with proper care.

Abstract

The rising issue in the criminal justice system is the rising number of mental health crises that are being dealt with by law enforcement officers, as these officers do not have the specialized training to respond efficiently. With mental illness, such people often find themselves in the criminal justice system when there is a behavioral health crisis and can become victims of unwarranted activity in arrest, use-of-force, or imprisonment, instead of the needed treatment. It is a policy that puts pressure on law enforcement bodies, prisons, and community resources without having to address the underlying mental health requirements of individuals in crisis. This inevitably leads to the need to have a well-designed policy response, which will enhance the management of emergency cases related to mental health.

This paper suggests the introduction of the program of Mental Health Crisis Response Team (MHCRT) to the local law enforcement agencies. The program would have specially designed response teams, which would be the trained police officers and licensed mental health practitioners who would serve jointly. Such teams would undergo further training on crisis intervention, de-escalation techniques, and mental evaluation. The program would also forge links with the local hospitals, mental health clinics, and providers of community services to make sure that those in the crisis get immediate support and long-term treatment facilities.

MHCRT is a criminal justice program in the sense that it creates a systematic operational framework in the law enforcement agencies to enhance the response to cases associated with mental health. The program encompasses the principles of planned change, namely identifying a particular systemic issue, introducing a systematic intervention, and measuring results in the area of fewer arrests, fewer incidences of use of force, and better access to mental health services. The program will help to attain safer relations between the police and community members, as well as enhance the efficiency and more humane crisis management by incorporating mental health expertise into the law enforcement responses.

Week2class561.docx

Week 3 class 561

300-400 words discussion

Crisis Intervention at a Shelter

Maria, a 34-year-old woman, arrives at a community crisis shelter late at night. She is visibly distraught, reporting that she fled her home after a severe argument with her partner, during which she feared for her safety. Maria expresses feelings of hopelessness, saying, “I have nowhere to go, and I can’t keep doing this.” She also mentions that her partner has never physically harmed her but has threatened her during previous arguments. She has no family nearby and limited financial resources.

Maria appears hesitant to share too many details but agrees to stay for the night.

Initial Post:

1. In the role of a crisis worker at the shelter, you are tasked with engaging Maria, assessing her immediate needs and emotional state, exploring her crisis, ensuring her safety, and collaborating with her to help her begin to develop a plan for her next steps. Reflect on the following issues and explore potential solutions for each: What strategies would you use to initiate contact and build rapport with Maria? How might you help her feel comfortable enough to share more details about her situation?

2. Using the Hybrid Model, how would you explore and define Maria’s immediate crisis? What questions might you ask to assess the severity of her situation?

3. Considering Maria’s limited resources, what alternatives could you explore with her? How would you help her create a realistic and actionable plan to regain control over her situation?

4. Which assessment tools (e.g., Triage Assessment Form, Lethality Potential Assessment) would you use to evaluate Maria’s current state, and why?

Project

Designing Research Methods for Law Enforcement Stress

In October 2024, the Louisville Metro Police Department (LMPD) faced renewed scrutiny when Officer Dustin Dean, previously reprimanded for firing non-lethal rounds at a TV crew during the 2020 protests, was placed under investigation again. New body camera footage revealed Dean firing a 40 mm non-lethal launcher at protesters, raising concerns about the cumulative stress experienced by officers during prolonged civil unrest and its impact on decision-making. (Note, this 40 mm non-lethal launcher typically utilizes projectiles composed of foam, rubber or sponge, and is commonly used for crowd management, compliance, or training purposes).

Assignment Instructions

1. Research Design: Propose a comprehensive research design to assess stress levels among LMPD officers involved in the 2020 protests and subsequent investigations. Consider the following elements:

· Data Collection Methods: Identify appropriate qualitative and quantitative methods (e.g., surveys, interviews, physiological assessments) to gather data on stress indicators.

· Sampling Strategy: Determine how you will select participants to ensure a representative sample of the affected officers.

· Ethical Considerations: Outline measures to protect participants' confidentiality and well-being during the study.

2. Measurement Tools: Select or develop specific instruments to measure stress levels. Justify your choices based on their reliability and validity in similar research contexts.

3. Data Analysis Plan: Describe the statistical or thematic analysis techniques you will employ to interpret the collected data.

4. Potential Challenges: Identify possible obstacles in conducting this research (e.g., participant reluctance, data accuracy) and propose strategies to mitigate these issues.

Create a 10-slide presentation summarizing your research proposal. Submit it either as a PPT or PDF slides.

Textbooks

· Shane, J. (2019). Stress Inside Police Departments. Taylor & Francis. https://ccis.vitalsource.com/books/9781000762891

· James, R. (2024). Crisis Intervention Strategies (9th ed.). Cengage Learning US. https://ccis.vitalsource.com/books/9798214125787

· James et al. (2025). Crisis intervention strategies (9th ed.). Chapters 3 & 4

· Shane, J. (2020). Stress inside police departments (1st ed.). Routledge Chapter 2

· QuestionPro. (n.d.). Research design: What it is, elements & types.

· Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). (n.d.). Disaster responder stress management.

Week2class524.docx

300-400 words discussion

524 d1

Consider the authors’ positions on the War on Drugs in Chapter 3 of Reddington and Bonham text.

· What are your areas of agreement with the authors?

· What areas of disagreement do you have with the authors?

Read the following articles and policy statements regarding President Obama’s changing views on marijuana policy, and the changes in DOJ policies on marijuana enforcement in the Trump administration.

· NPR Article: Obama Cracks Down On Medical Marijuana

· Politico Article: Sessions Announces End to Policy that Allowed Legal Pot to Flourish

· St. Louis Public Radio Article: Greitens' Executive Order Creates Statewide Prescription Drug Monitoring Program for Missouri

· Kaiser Health Article: Why Missouri’s the Last Holdout on a Statewide Rx Monitoring Program

In light of the discussion of Chapter 3 and the articles,

· What role should the executive branch of government, through the Chief Executive play in formulating and enforcing criminal drug policy, at both the federal and state level? Include in your discussion the differences between the legislative and executive branches of government.

· What are your views of federal government drug enforcement in the event that federal and state laws conflict, especially in the areas of marijuana enforcement?

524 d2

Explain the power of governors to issue executive orders. What is their purpose, and when are they used?

Review Missouri Executive Orders 17-18 and 17-19 relating to the unlawful distribution and misuse of opioids, and the articles regarding a prescription drug monitoring program (PDMP) legislation in Missouri, found in the Content Section. Answer the questions below.

· What did these two executive orders accomplish?

· Discuss the role of the state executive and legislative branches in formulating criminal justice policy on this topic. Was it appropriate for the governor to issue and maintain these executive orders in the continued absence of legislation passed by the Missouri General Assembly? Was it an appropriate area of executive authority or solely an issue for the legislative branch? Fully explain the basis for your opinion.

In addition, conduct research on Executive Orders in your state affecting criminal justice. Provide an example of an executive order that you believe affected criminal justice in your state. Make sure to provide a link to the research you found, as well as clearly indicate which state the Executive Order is from.

Assignment 1 Case study

Conduct a systems analysis of Case Study 1.3 (beginning on page 68 of Welsh and Harris text ). Answer questions 1 and 2 at the end of the case study.

In conducting the systems analysis in question 1, describe in your own words each of the steps below as explained on pages 53–59 and apply each step to the case study.

· Mapping the System

· Documenting and assessing current policy and practice

· Gathering information on the offender population

· Identifying sanctions, services, and programs

· Identifying community resources

Each case study analysis must be 2-4 pages in length, and sufficient to thoroughly discuss and analyze the case study. Be sure to use the most current APA edition style for your citations, including a proper citation for all sources used.

Assignment 2 Stage paper

Follow the steps of Stage 1 Analysis in Chapter 1 of Welsh and Harris text and the steps outlined in the Appendix, Stage 1, page 255. Stage 1 serves as the justification for your program by defining the problem and the need for change, analyzing potential causes of the problem, describing the history of previous interventions, and identifying the key stakeholders and the barriers to and supporters for change. As part of this stage, you will conduct a systems analysis of the problem. The case study also due this week should help you in understanding the necessary steps of systems analysis.

Please put your thesis at the beginning of your paper. Use headings that correspond to the outline you will be following (from the Appendix).

Textbooks

Welsh, W. N., & Harris, P. W. (2016). Criminal Justice Policy and Planning (5th ed.). Taylor & Francis. https://ccis.vitalsource.com/books/9781317271550

Jr., F.P.R. B. (2019). Flawed Criminal Justice Policies: At the Intersection of the Media, Public Fear and Legislative Response (2nd ed.). Carolina Academic Press. https://ccis.vitalsource.com/books/9781531011376