Assaulting police officer while being detained under mental health act

j.e.j.

Brighton_belle wrote: »

But wouldn't that just mean it was the ambulancemen who got hit instead?

Medical staff can restrain a patient, and medicate them if necessary.

Vikipollard

j.e.j. wrote: »

Medical staff can restrain a patient, and medicate them if necessary.

IF they can get near the patient in distress.


It certainly SHOULD be the medical professionals who deal with such cases, however more often than not it is the police who end up dealing with it - sometimes because of the behaviour exhibited, but sadly all too often because it's out of hours and you can't get hold of social services or a crisis team.

Damien1979

Thanks everyone for their input.

The police had originally planned to call an ambulance to transport him to hospital, but as a few people have commented, they ended up deciding that this would pose too big a risk and would not be possible.

I've spoken to the officer involved today who is stated how unwell my relative clearly was, but that a report would be filed and then considered. He has stated that under the circumstances it's not likely they will proceed with it any further, but obviously can't say for certain.

kezzygirl

j.e.j. wrote: »

If the person was that ill, they should have called an ambulance, rather than escorting him/her to hospital themselves.

Medical staff can restrain a patient, and medicate them if necessary


Restraint and rapid tranq should ALWAYS be used as a last resort. Medical professionals don't go round injecting people willy-nilly.

Paramedics are unable to remove a person suffering from mental disorder in a public place and take them to a place of safety, that is the job of the police under section 136 of the mh act....ambulances are hardly safe places to transport people who are in a high state of distress, hence probably why the police vehicle was used.

amistupid

When I was in, if you were injured restraining a person who was later sectioned you'd rarely charge assault police, it would just be recorded as an injury on duty.

Corelli

Having been part of the sectioning process in my own family, I just want to wish Damien1979 and family all the very best in this most horrible of situations.

Also, to thank those responsible police officers who can handle these situations with tact and professionalism. We met this sort, and others ... one recommended a good chastisement, and others had a very racist discussion in the police car whilst transporting my son. My thanks to those who were supportive in the situation.

Damien1979

Thanks for the kind words Corelli, now that the practicalities of the process are over I've been left feeling awful, this was honesty the hardest thing I've ever had to do. I know it's silly but I keep blaming myself and wishing there was something else I could have done. I know I've done the right thing and he's getting the help he needs right now but it's still hard.

We were very lucky that the officers that responded were highly professional under extremely difficult circumstances. I've been able to speak to two of them since and thank them for what they did and apologise for what they had to deal with.

Corelli

I'm SURE you've done the right thing. The whole situation leading up to a sectioning is horrible, and all families (I'm sure) look back and wish it could have been different. But when a person is so unwell they do not respond to our support and help and input there really is no alternative. It must be said, that being in a psychiatric ward isn't pleasant, and I'm sure in most cases there are cristisisms to be made. There certainly were in our family's case. But many of the staff were good and in the end our son came home in a much better emotional state than when he went in. NOT an experience any of us want to repeat.

It will be an experience you can all look back on and be very grateful it is all over. I hope your family member gets well soon and can return home as soon as possible.

rpc

j.e.j. wrote: »

If the person was that ill, they should have called an ambulance, rather than escorting him/her to hospital themselves.

I may be wrong, but I do not believe that paramedics have any power to detain someone. They would have to get in the ambulance willingly.

Police, however, do have limited powers to detain someone who is mentally ill.

Firetastic

Have recently gone through this with a relative. Long story short my relative was transported to hospital. He wasn't allowed to leave the hospital because he had been brought in by police. He had to be discharged by a doctor.

Must admit the police were excellent and we are going to write a letter to the police station. They were kind and compassionate. The hospital on the other hand............