Patterns of police interactions with people experiencing homelessness and mental illness.

Abstract

To guide the prevention of policing in persons experiencing homelessness and mental illness, we examined police interactions in this population by combining data from At Home/Chez Soi and Montreal police databases (N= 454). We explored the types, initiators, locations, and mental health/judicial outcomes of interactions over four years, identifying sub-groups using latent class analysis and then comparing sociodemographic and psychosocial variables between groups. Four groups emerged: few, mainly as a suspect, diverse, and frequent and diverse interactions. The characteristics of participants with more suspect interactions are described. Grouping suggested the policing of behaviors associated with homelessness and underreporting of victimization.