Exploring Police Response to Mental Health Calls in a Nonurban Area: A Case Study of Roanoke County, Virginia

Abstract

Due to a lack of community mental health services, police departments in nonurban/rural communities are often the first and only resource available for individuals experiencing mental health issues. The authors use both calls for service data and an officer-completed survey to examine the challenges officers in a nonurban police department face when responding to mental health–related calls, such as lengthy call times and increased likelihood of use of force. Though officers feel they have a duty to assist individuals with mental health issues, many officers are not satisfied with departmentally available options and desire better alternatives for responding to mental health–related calls.