How do People With Mental Illness Experience Conflictual Police Encounters? A Qualitative Study with German Forensic Psychiatric Patients

Although not typically within their primary duties, training, or educational background, police frequently encounter individuals with mental disorders or severe mental crises. These encounters are often characterized by uncertainty among police officers in assessing individuals' behavior and potential danger, and they do not always proceed free of conflict. Consequently, people with mental illnesses are more frequently subjected to police coercive measures or even police violence. Given the limited research on the perspectives of individuals with mental illnesses in police interactions, this study aimed to explore the subjective perceptions of people with mental illness (PMI) regarding conflictual encounters with police and to analyze de-escalating and escalating police behavior from their perspective. Another aim was to receive recommendations from the participants on how police should behave in such situations. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 15 PMI who had resisted police actions or attacked police officers during encounters. Findings revealed a lack of understanding among participants regarding police actions and a feeling of being overwhelmed by the use of force. A calm and empathetic initial approach, coupled with clear communication and explanation, was identified as critical for de-escalation. Results underscore the importance of perceived procedural justice in reducing resistance among PMI. Enhancing police training with a focus on mental health awareness, communication skills, and empathy could potentially improve interactions and outcomes between police and PMI.