3.400 Responding To Persons In Behavioral Emergency Or With Special Needs

Question 1

What is the purpose of the policy regarding responding to persons in behavioral emergency or with special needs?

Answer 1

To divert certain individuals to treatment and resolve incidents more effectively with collaborative resources outside of the criminal justice system.

The policy emphasizes treating persons with mental illness with dignity and humanity.

Question 2

Define ‘behavioral emergency’ (BHE).

Answer 2

A situation where an individual’s actions pose an immediate risk to themselves, officers, or others, requiring prompt intervention.

Signs may include elevated body temperature, excessive thirst, paranoia, or self-inflicted injuries.

Question 3

What is the role of the Crisis Intervention Team (CIT)?

Answer 3

To provide a model of police-based crisis intervention training to help individuals with mental disorders access medical treatment instead of the criminal justice system.

CIT promotes both officer safety and the safety of the individual in crisis.

Question 4

What is a CIT certified officer?

Answer 4

An on-duty uniformed officer who has completed LVMPD’s 40-hour CIT training and is dispatched to events involving persons with mental illness or in crisis.

Question 5

What is the purpose of the CIT After Action Report?

Answer 5

To track and document CIT responses and share information for officer safety and follow-up services.

Question 6

Fill in the blank: A person with a mental illness whose capacity for self-control is diminished to the extent that they present a substantial likelihood of serious harm is referred to as a _______.

Answer 6

walk-away mental health patient.

Question 7

What does the Behavioral Health Unit (BHU) focus on?

Answer 7

Providing social services and outreach to at-risk populations, particularly the unhoused and those with substance addiction and mental illness.

BHU aims to prevent potentially violent interactions with law enforcement.

Question 8

What is the function of CIT coordinators?

Answer 8

To facilitate CIT training, compile CIT After Action Reports, and conduct follow-up contacts with subjects at risk of violent interactions.

Question 9

True or False: CIT officers will be dispatched to events involving vague threats of suicide.

Answer 9

False.

Question 10

What actions should a CIT officer take upon arrival at a scene involving a behavioral emergency?

Answer 10

Gather information on the subject’s mental condition and develop tactics based on available information from various sources.

Question 11

What is the procedure for responding patrol officers when a behavioral emergency is suspected?

Answer 11

Request medical personnel, establish containment, and formulate a custody plan to de-escalate the situation.

The custody plan should include monitoring the subject’s breathing.

Question 12

What is the primary goal of the Law Enforcement Intervention for Mental Health and Addiction (LIMA) program?

Answer 12

To divert low-level, non-violent offenses driven by substance abuse from the criminal justice system.

Question 13

Fill in the blank: A subject who appears to be under the influence of drugs or in an altered mental state is considered to be in a _______.

Answer 13

behavioral emergency.

Question 14

What should be done if a subject in crisis is an active-duty military member?

Answer 14

Notify Nellis Air Force Base Security Forces Watch Desk.

Question 15

What criteria warrant the completion of a CIT After Action Report?

Answer 15

Threats to others, officer safety concerns, violence involved, weapons involved, or repeat contact with additional resource needs.

Question 16

What is the role of the field supervisor during a behavioral emergency incident?

Answer 16

Monitor the event, ensure a CIT officer is en route, and assume command and control of tactics.

Question 17

What is the definition of ‘developmental disability’ in this context?

Answer 17

A condition diagnosed before the age of 22 that results in substantial functional limitations in major life activities and requires coordinated services.

Question 18

What is the importance of community-oriented policing (COP) in this policy?

Answer 18

COP officers coordinate with the Behavioral Health Unit on at-risk individuals involving mental health and substance misuse.

Question 19

What are the responsibilities of BHU in relation to law enforcement?

Answer 19

Serve as a central point of contact for initiatives, prevent violent interactions, and coordinate with area commands.

Question 20

What is the primary goal when responding to a behavioral emergency?

Answer 20

To escalate the situation, calm the individual, and gain control of the person.

Question 21

What should the custody plan include regarding the monitoring of the subject?

Answer 21

A designated officer to monitor the subject’s breathing.

Question 22

When should the custody plan be executed?

Answer 22

Quickly once sufficient officers are present and preferably after medical personnel have arrived.

Question 23

What is the recovery position?

Answer 23

Placement of a subject’s body in a manner that does not restrict breathing or obstruct the airway, such as on their side or upright.

Question 24

True or False: Handcuffed subjects should be forcefully bent forward at the waist.

Answer 24

False.

Question 25

What should be done to avoid escalating a potential medical emergency?

Answer 25

Consider the use of two sets of handcuffs.

Question 26

What should officers do if the subject becomes quiet or no longer offers resistance?

Answer 26

Immediately assess to ensure the subject is breathing and has a pulse.

Question 27

What is the procedure when transferring custody of a subject to medical personnel?

Answer 27

Coordinate with medical personnel to transfer custody and assist to avoid delay in transportation.

Question 28

What must be done if a subject is combative and removing handcuffs could pose a danger?

Answer 28

The handcuffs will remain on the subject and the officer will escort the subject in the ambulance.

Question 29

What must supervisors ensure regarding the incident handling?

Answer 29

Ensure incident is handled in accordance with the policy, LVMPD 3.110, Use of Force, and STAR Protocol.

Question 30

What offenses make individuals eligible for diversion into LIMA?

Answer 30

* Non-violent misdemeanors * Non-violent drug-related felonies (with exceptions) * Non-violent county/city codes and/or ordinances.

Question 31

What disqualifies an individual from participating in the LIMA program?

Answer 31

* Does not appear amenable to diversion * Unable to give consent * Suspected of drug sale * Suspected of promoting prostitution * Registered sex offender * Needs acute emergency care. * Convicted of violent crimes.

Question 32

What must an officer do to divert an individual to LIMA?

Answer 32

Determine eligibility, offer diversion non-coercively, contact on-duty BHU supervisor, and document the incident.

Question 33

Fill in the blank: A person is deemed to present a substantial likelihood of serious harm if they are at serious risk of _______.

Answer 33

[Attempting suicide or homicide, causing bodily injury, incurring serious injury due to neglect]

Question 34

What must occur before transporting a person with an alleged mental illness to a treatment facility?

Answer 34

Examine the person at a licensed hospital to determine if immediate medical treatment is required.

Question 35

What is the procedure for documenting Legal 2000 forms?

Answer 35

Every Legal 2000 will be entered into the SCOPE system by the SCOPE Section of the Records and Fingerprint Bureau.

Question 36

What should officers do when responding to crimes committed by patients at mental health facilities?

Answer 36

Determine if a crime has been committed and take appropriate action, including completing a crime report or making an arrest.

Question 37

True or False: Parent/guardian consent is required to place a juvenile on a mental health crisis hold.

Answer 37

False.

Question 38

What must officers document when attempting to contact a parent/guardian of a juvenile?

Answer 38

The time, date, and type of notification (e.g., in person or phone).

Question 39

What must be done if an arrest is made involving a juvenile?

Answer 39

Notify the court issuing the order prior to the arrest.

Question 40

What role do LIMA coordinators have?

Answer 40

* Ensure subjects meet qualification standards * Coordinate with LIMA clinicians * Conduct follow-up visits.

Question 41

What is the purpose of the CIT After Action Report?

Answer 41

To document the incident and actions taken during the response to a mental health crisis.

Question 42

Mental illness alone ____________ signify a specific police response. They should only be taken into custody when there is probable cause or reasonable suspicion to believe they have committed an arrestable offense and arrest is the best choice based on the totality of the circumstances, or they present a clear danger to themselves or others.

Answer 42

should not

Question 43

BHU encompasses

Answer 43

Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) coordinators. Law Enforcement Intervention for Mental Health and Addiction (LIMA) diversion program. Homeless Outreach Team (HOT) to include the Homeless Liaison coordinator.

Question 44

CIT officers will be dispatched to:

Answer 44

1. Events involving a subject threatening suicide under volatile circumstances (e.g., a subject holding a weapon or threatening to jump from a height. 2. Subjects who are experiencing symptoms of behavioral emergency. 3. Disturbances involving a subject who has been reported as having a mental illness. 4. Assist in taking into custody a walk-away mental health patient who has been located. 5. Any incident involving escalating or volatile circumstances that suggest immediate presence of a CIT officer may be beneficial.

Question 45

CIT officers will not be dispatched to events:

Answer 45

6. Involving threats of suicide which are vague, non-violent, or where no imminent threat of harm is suggested or implied. 7. Involving intentional or accidental overdose of a subject who is non-violent and has no known history of mental illness. 8. When the subject has been transported to a hospital and officers are needed for report purposes only.