Role of the police

NHS Forth Valley mental health emergencies
NHS Forth Valley
  • Police assistance may be called for when staff involved in a detention are unable to control a situation within a resource centre or patient's home.
  • The decision to involve the police may be taken by any member of the team involved in the detention.
  • Where there is an imminent risk of serious harm help should be sought by calling 999.
  • It may be appropriate to contact police prior to assessment when risk is anticipated.
  • Police should be contacted on 101.
  • Call handling staff will then organise an appropriate response after discussion with clinical staff.
  • Police involvement should be as discreet as possible to minimise the risk of criminalising the patient.

Editorial Information

Last reviewed: 28/05/2021

Author(s): Julia Ferrari, Joe McGhee, Duncan Westall, William McFadden, Heather Tainsh , Susan Sutherland, Marie White , Anne Cook, Justin McNicholl, Douglas Armstrong, Dr Nabila Muzaffar, Dr Stuart Affleck, Dr David Cumming, Andrew Angus, Jackie Maher, Rose Mills, Vincent Hughes..