Police need better coordination on mental health emergencies, study shows

A major new study has found that while police officers play a crucial role in responding to people in mental health crisis, poor coordination between services is undermining efforts to provide effective and timely care.

The research, conducted by the University of York and the University of Worcester as part of the Vulnerability & Policing Futures Research Centre, highlights persistent gaps in joint working across policing, health and social care.

Police forces across England and Wales continue to attend a significant number of mental health-related incidents, despite policy attempts to scale back their involvement through the Right Care, Right Person (RCRP) approach.

Researchers observed officers in two police forces and interviewed more than 70 professionals, service users and carers. They found that officers frequently face complex and high-risk situations requiring rapid judgement and de-escalation, often without consistent mental health support or clear inter-agency guidance.

Professor Martin Webber, from the University of York’s School for Business and Society and Vulnerability & Policing Futures Research Centre, said: “Police officers are often the first responders to mental health crises, yet they aren’t always the right agency to help. Better coordination between police, mental health services, and ambulance teams is essential for a more joined-up and effective response.”

Police officers consistently reported that responding to mental health emergencies was not why they joined the service, describing it as the responsibility of other agencies. However, the study found that mental health professionals did not feel best placed to intervene when restraint in community settings was required. Paramedics, meanwhile, described themselves as a “dumping ground”, left to deal with situations other services would not attend.

The study identified three core challenges: variation in police capability when dealing with mental health incidents, weak inter-agency communication, and inconsistent implementation of national policy.

Professor Elizabeth Hughes, from the University of Worcester and Vulnerability & Policing Futures Research Centre, said: “While many officers demonstrate strong communication and risk assessment skills, we found wide variation in how mental health-related calls are identified and managed.

“Access to specialist advice, such as mental health triage teams, differs from one area to another, leaving officers uncertain about whether to treat behaviour as a criminal issue or a symptom of illness.”

Participants across policing, ambulance and mental health services described blurred lines of responsibility during crises. Different approaches to risk management often led to delays or conflicting decisions. Some professionals reported that limited communication and trust between services resulted in repeated or missed responses.

While the Right Care, Right Person policy has reduced police attendance at some mental health incidents, the researchers found unintended consequences.

Professor Webber said: “Although the Right Care, Right Person policy has reduced police attendance at mental health incidents, we have shown that it has also created new problems. In some cases, mental health services “game the system” to prompt police involvement, while officers sometimes withdraw too early, leaving vulnerable people without immediate support.

“We argue that policy must adopt a whole-systems approach, which means ensuring consistent cooperation and shared responsibility between police, health, and social care services.”

The report places these findings within a wider rise in mental health problems in the UK, linked to the COVID-19 pandemic and deepening social inequalities including debt, unemployment and homelessness.

Researchers are calling for further study into how police encounter people with mental health problems outside crisis situations, such as during routine crime reporting or community policing. They also recommend including more voices of people with lived experience and their carers to better understand what kinds of responses are most supportive.