Should Police Attend At All? Managing Mental Health Crises in an English Constabulary Under RCRP.

• In Event: Minimizing the Role of Law Enforcement in Addressing Drug Use and Mental Health Crises

Abstract

The Right Care, Right Person (RCRP) initiative was developed to ensure appropriate professionals respond to mental health crises, redirecting calls from police to specialised services. While early evaluations focused on operational success, this paper examines how incidents are managed within an English police force implementing RCRP. Using interviews with strategic and operational police staff, policy and strategy document analysis, and real-time observations, we explore the step-by-step processes officers follow, from initial contact to case resolution. This mapping serves as a conceptual framework to highlight the tensions police face in balancing their roles as law enforcers and caregivers. Findings reveal that while RCRP offers a structured approach, officers still intervene in some cases due to service gaps, risk concerns, and practical constraints, underscoring ongoing challenges in fully transitioning mental health response away from policing. Practical implications for improving support and ensuring crisis care from the right professionals are discussed.

Authors

• Arabella Kyprianides, University College London (UCL)

• Ben Bradford, University College London (UCL)