PROTOCOL: Co-Responding Police-Mental Health Programs and the Impact on Justice and Social Service Outcomes: A Systematic Review

Abstract

This is the protocol for a Campbell systematic review. The objectives are as follows. The current review will provide criminal justice and policymakers with information regarding the efficacy and effectiveness of co-responder programs on criminal justice and social service outcomes. Specifically, the authors will address the following research questions: (1) Do co-responder police-mental health programs reduce the frequency or likelihood of criminal justice system involvement (e.g., offending, police welfare check, victimization) among those experiencing homelessness, drug and/or alcohol addiction, or mental health crises (hereafter “vulnerable populations”)? (2) Do co-responder police-mental health programs improve social service outcomes among vulnerable populations? (3) Do the effects of co-responder police-mental health programs vary by the following factors: study research design, geographical location, type of population, type of outcome (e.g., official vs. unofficial reports), and intervention characteristics (e.g., setting, type of practitioners)?