Police Officers’ Attitude Towards Mentally Ill Citizens in Trinidad and Tobago: A Cross-sectional Study

• In Event: Police Perceptions and Attitudes

Abstract

In most jurisdictions law enforcement officers are required to interact with mentally ill citizens. In developing nations like Trinidad and Tobago this is no exception, especially given the inadequacies of the existing mental health care institutions and the rise in the number of persons with mental illnesses to be found in communities. This cross-sectional study (1) investigated the role of key demographic variables in police attitude toward the mentally ill and (2) explored the relationship between training and attitudes held by police office toward this particular group. Participants comprised of 547 officers of the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS) who completed a demographic profile sheet and the Mental Health Attitude Survey for Police Officers (MHASP). Preliminary analyses indicate differences in age, gender and educational level of police officers and their attitude toward the mentally ill. Findings also revealed significant differences in training and officer’s attitude toward mentally ill citizens. A significant positive relationship was found between officer’s own willingness to seek psychological help given the stressful nature of their jobs and their attitude toward mentally ill persons. Recommendations underscore the need for mental health training in law enforcement as a means of promoting more positive attitudes toward this population.

Authors

• Linda Lila Mohammed, University of Trinidad and Tobago

• Randy Seepersad, University of the West Indies