§ Lady Olga MaitlandTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps he will take to ensure that severely disturbed victims of schizophrenia in need of treatment are not kept in police cells in lieu of psychiatric care.
§ Mr. Charles WardleThe codes of practice issued under the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 require police custody officers immediately to call the police surgeon to examine a person in their custody who appears to be suffering from a mental disorder. Persons who are detained under section 136 of the Mental Health Act 1983 for their own protection or for that of others should be assessed as soon as possible by a psychiatrist and an approved social worker to ensure that they receive any necessary care and treatment. Under section 136 the police are empowered to remove persons to a place of safety, which the Government recommend should be a hospital rather than a police station, with a view to providing appropriate facilities for the care of the mentally disordered.
§ Mr. HoramTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will increase the funding for the course on mental illness run for police officers by the National Schizophrenic Fellowship; and what plans he has for improving the training in mental illness available to police officers generally.
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§ Mr. Charles WardleI understand that the Association of Chief Police Officers is currently in touch with the National Schizophrenic Fellowship and is looking at ways of funding a national training video. The Home Office intends to issue further guidance shortly to those working in the criminal justice system generally about dealing with cases involving mentally disordered persons. In particular, chief officers of police will be asked to examine existing force policy and practice, including current training provision.