Caitlin M. Brady , Gabrielle Dieterich , Amanda Graham
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引用次数: 0
Abstract
Aim
Law enforcement officers are tasked with responding to various types of calls for service in the community, including individuals in crisis. Thus, the current study examines public perceptions regarding crisis related behaviors and preferred police responses.
Methods
The current study used experimentally designed case vignettes from an online opt-in survey to tap into crisis-related behaviors (drunkenly passed out, injecting a substance, walking around talking to oneself, and standing on the edge of bridge). The study examined whether respondents (n = 880) viewed the behavior as a crime and how they wanted law enforcement to respond, including arrest, take to treatment, release to family or friend, and ignore and do nothing.
Results
Being drunkenly passed out, injecting a substance, and standing on the edge of a bridge were more likely to be considered a crime relative to walking around talking to themselves. Generally, respondents wanted law enforcement to do something rather than nothing. However, the preferred outcome varied by situation.
Conclusion
Findings have recommendations regarding the criminalization of mental health and education for the public on crisis behaviors linked to locally driven resources and supports.
期刊介绍:
The Journal of Criminal Justice is an international journal intended to fill the present need for the dissemination of new information, ideas and methods, to both practitioners and academicians in the criminal justice area. The Journal is concerned with all aspects of the criminal justice system in terms of their relationships to each other. Although materials are presented relating to crime and the individual elements of the criminal justice system, the emphasis of the Journal is to tie together the functioning of these elements and to illustrate the effects of their interactions. Articles that reflect the application of new disciplines or analytical methodologies to the problems of criminal justice are of special interest.
Since the purpose of the Journal is to provide a forum for the dissemination of new ideas, new information, and the application of new methods to the problems and functions of the criminal justice system, the Journal emphasizes innovation and creative thought of the highest quality.