Improving Interactions with Law Enforcement

“Cop Culture 101”

Working Together

Youth Drop-in Center and Police

• Focus for Today• How Collaboration can be beneficial

• I.e. Welcoming law-enforcement into the center and showing the kids that law-enforcement isn't big bad wolf...

• True Collaboration needs to be built upon Mutual respect & understanding

• Potential Outcomes• Real Life Example & Data• Discussion

Overview

• Background & Bus• Disclaimer• Hopefully better education &

understanding leads to improved working relationships & outcomes

• Long history of confusion regarding roles/procedures.

• Who’s Here?

Long History of Confusion

In Maricopa County since 2001Purpose: To provide mental health education to law enforcement officers to enable them to interact more effectively when they are called to a scene where someone is experiencing a mental health crisis and to provide information on successful navigation of the MH System.More Than Just Training: Collaboration and Accessible ResourcesKey – Customer Service…who is customer?

No Wrong Door Expeditious Drop off Rapid/Available MT

Crisis Intervention Team (CIT)

Flagstaff PoliceDPSMaricopa

County Sheriff’s Office Chandler PoliceBuckeye PolicePeoria Police

Tempe Police

Phoenix PoliceMesa PolicePhoenix Park RangersPhoenix Copper Square Ambassadors Gilbert PoliceScottsdale PoliceASU PoliceAvondale Police

Crisis Intervention Training

Police are becoming educated about behavioral health culture and homeless resources.In order to work together successfully, we need to understand THEIR culture, as well.

Benefit of CIT to you…

Who are we?• Danger/Safety• Tactics used may appear odd or unnecessary• Tend to see only the “bad”

• Adrenaline Junkies• Not “hanger-outers” • Rush/OT/Off duty thrills/War stories/Always looking for the next high!

• Societal Expectations • 911 “cure all”• Usually no longer a “Behavioral Health” issue - Cop’s in charge • What Tools/powers do we have?

• Think about a Traffic Stop

“Police Culture 101”

Anytime the police are diverting to Human Services System - Positive Sign•Common concerns/questions• Time want us to stay on scene/time to arrive• Getting “Dumped” On• Being called back & complaints

•Our perception of role in the interaction – • You’re the helping people/experts• Anytime Cop decides not to arrest – is good: whether

that’s Detox, MT, Clinics, UPC, CRT, Shelter, Etc. etc., - you’re all one

Culture continued…

Confusion & Collaboration between the Human Services System and Law Enforcement Differences in how we operate.

Linguistics Set of beliefs I.e. Parking in front

Hopefully better education & understanding leads to improved working relationships & outcomes Based on mutual understanding/respect We both want to do the right thing for the youth.

Likely interacting with same kids, but “different” experiences, lenses, etc.

So although our cultures may be entirely different , our most important shared feature is that we want to HELP.

Based on this...thoughts to consider

•Why are you requesting Police to respond?•When Come to facility do you view each other as enemy/obstruction or allies?•Flavor of interaction?•Who's in charge, etc.?•What is anticipated outcome?•Opportunities for proactive & construction Interactions, etc.?

Annual Police Handoffs to Crisis System

18,996!!

!4656 2640 9564 2136

• Jana perception• Past dealings (bad experiences due to lack of mutual

respect)• Benefits to clients• Accountability• Teeth to discipline• Mentoring• “good side of police shown”-not always in trouble

when police are around.• Education (narcotics/DV) for staff.• Allies• Police are the 500 pound gorilla we want on our side.

Homeless Service Provider’s Perception prior to acceptance of “cop culture”

• Monthly meeting with PD/TYRC• Collaboratively addressing issues related to downtown• Location of several runaways• Trainings for staff i.e. current drug trends/DV laws• Open communication when critical (joint efforts in money

laundering case).• Free flow of information regarding potential hazards in

the downtown (weapons, conflicts, etc)• Trust• Acknowledging barriers, hard lines

How did we establish a healthy working relationship, slow and grow………

• A 71.5% reduction in calls for service at TYRC (related to client issues)

• Problem solving for issues such as City Hall lawn areas, business complaints, etc.

• NAEHCY / joint task forces / homeless coalition / joint youth homeless outreach

• Advocacy/education, presentation to Command staff

Means nothing without results!

• Social Services - Under Paid & Overworked

• Police – It is why we got into this job

• Somewhere along line…Jaded

If by understanding our “Culture” it will help us get to a point where

we can help…usually Win/Win/Win

Big Thank You!!