A Law Enforcement Training Program in a Mental Health Center Catchment Area
EDWARD J. ROLDE M.D. S.M.HYG.1,
ELLSWORTH FERSCH J.D., PH.D.2,
FRANCIS J. KELLY ED.D.3,
SUSAN FRANK M.S.W.4, , and
MAURICE GUBERMAN 5
1 Director at the Legal Medicine Unit, Massachusetts Mental Health Center, Boston, Mass. and Assistant Professor of Psychiatry, Harvard School of Medicine
2 Psychologist, at the Legal Medicine Unit, Massachusetts Mental Health Center, Boston, Mass.
3 Social worker at the Legal Medicine Unit, Massachusetts Mental Health Center, Boston, Mass.
4 Professor of Education, Boston College, Norfolk County, Mass.
5 Assistant Chief Probation Officer, Norfolk County, Mass.
To increase understanding, communication, and cooperation between law enforcement officers and mental health workers in handling juveniles, the authors devised a training program and obtained the participation of ten law enforcement agencies. They made their presentations relevant to the local situation, used the expertise of the officers to good advantage, and focused on the pressure placed on the individual officer to perform his duties in the style of his department. The program was well received and influenced not only individual behavior but the policies of the participating organizations.
