MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES IN UNDERCOVER POLICE OFFICERS: a literature systematic search from a psychiatric perspective

• In Event: Crime and Mental Health

Abstract

In Italy the use of undercover agents has been constantly expanded over the years, since the approval of the Consolidated Law on Narcotics Presidential Decree Oct. 9, 1990, No. 309. Therefore, we wondered what mental health sequelae a person who performs such an activity might present, in case they require psychiatric care. Starting from a systematic literature review, this presentation aims to clarify the potential psychopathological risks of being an undercover police officer. According to our findings, symptoms like anxiety, depressed mood and irritability, as well as an increased risk of alcohol or drug abuse, appear to be potentially related to this particular type of work. We focused on these results discussing future implications and the need for more clinical studies in this unexplored field.

Authors

• Giulia Moretti, Università Vita-Salute San Raffaele

• Carolina Passani, Università Vita-Salute San Raffaele

• Emma Flutti, Università Vita-Salute San Raffaele

• Federico Pacchioni, Vita-Salute S. Raffaele University

• Alessandro Sarzetto, Park Villa Napoleon

• Palmina Caruso, University of Milan

• Guido Travaini, Vita-Salute S. Raffaele University