ERIC Number: EJ1397908
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2023
Pages: 23
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1523-6803
EISSN: EISSN-2328-9643
Available Date: N/A
The State of Mental Health Training in Basic Police Curricula: A National Level Examination
Cohen, Galia; Bagwell, Matt
Journal of Public Affairs Education, v29 n3 p327-349 2023
Police officers are front-line mental health responders who make daily decisions regarding persons with mental illness. However, little is known about what mental health training (MHT) states require from their future police officers. This study aims to evaluate the emphasis placed on MHT for police recruits across the United States. Specifically, we ask: (1) What (if any) are the minimum MHT hours police recruits must complete in the basic training academy? (2)What are the characteristics of state-mandated MHT in basic police academies? Our findings show that, on average, states devote 1.1% (7.28 hours) of their basic training curricula to MHT. We also identify four major contextual themes that depict MHT in police basic training. In this study, we offer public safety leaders, policymakers, and curriculum designers up-to-date data on the current state of MHT in basic police academies and recommendations for how it can be improved.
Descriptors: Police Education, Curriculum, Mental Health, Mental Health Programs, Training, Credits, Minimum Competencies, State Regulation, Educational Improvement
Taylor & Francis. Available from: Taylor & Francis, Ltd. 530 Walnut Street Suite 850, Philadelphia, PA 19106. Tel: 800-354-1420; Tel: 215-625-8900; Fax: 215-207-0050; Web site: http://www.tandf.co.uk/journals
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Author Affiliations: N/A