STREET ENCOUNTERS
Police Response to Emotionally Disturbed Persons
Lesson Title:
Police Response to Emotionally Disturbed Persons
Prepared By:
Village of Chester Training Division
Village of Chester Police Department
Approved By:
Chief Graziano
Instructor:
Brad Natalizio
Method of Presentation:
Date Prepared:
Lecture
10/09/09
Duration:
3:00
Instructional Objectives:
Upon completion of training, each Police Officer will be able to verbally or in writing,
without reference to notes:
1. State two reasons why it is important for police officers to be familiar with the
response to EDP’s, without error.
2. State the six abnormal psychology disorders discussed, without error.
3. State four symptoms of depression, without error.
4. State two characteristics of schizophrenia, without error.
5. State two tactics that you should use when approaching a suicidal person, without
error.
6. State five identifying factors of an EDP, without error.
7. State information to be gathered prior to the arrival on scene of an EDP, without error.
Instructor Reference
Comer, R. (2004) Abnormal psychology. Worth Publishers, New York.
Dunham, R. & Alpert, G. (2005) Critical issues in policing. Waveland Press Inc., Long
Grove.
Training Aids
Microsoft Powerpoint
Handout
Police Response to EDP’s
I.
Notes
Introduction
A. Self
B. Experience
C. Objectives
D. Value to Officer’s
E. Relativity to overall program
II.
Presentation
A. History
2-6
B. Importance of knowing about EDP’s
7-10
C. Statistics
11-14
D. Abnormal Psychology
15-48
i) Anxiety Disorders
phobias panic ocd ptsd
ii) Stress Disorders
iii) Somatoform and Dissociative Disorders
iv) Mood Disorders
depression, mania
v) Schizophrenia
vi) Personality Disorders
E. Suicide
police response
F. Recognizing EDP’s
48-58
i) Inappropriate physical appearance
ii) Inappropriate body movements
iii) Disturbances in perception
iv) Disturbances in thought
Police Response to EDP’s
Notes
v) Inappropriate moods
vi) Acting, threatening to cause Injury to self or others
vii) Inappropriate decorations
viii) Inappropriate waste or trash
G. Proper tactics when handling EDP’s
59-72
H. Communicating with EDP’s
73-93
I. Positional Asphyxia
94-95
J. MHL Laws
96
K. Common Scenarios
97-98
III. Conclusion
A. Objective Review
99
Name____________________
Date___/___/_____
Police Response to Emotionally Disturbed Persons
1. List two abnormal psychology disorders.
a) ____________________
b) ____________________
2. Which of the following is NOT a recommended tactic when dealing with an EDP?
a) One officer shall be the contact officer and the other officer will be the cover officer.
b) Intimidate and frighten the EDP to gain control of the situation.
c) Avoid behavior that causes agitation.
d) Take as much time as you need to avoid injury to anybody.
3. List two signs of depression.
a) ____________________
b) ____________________
4. Most EDP calls turn out to involve people who are neither a danger to themselves or
others.
a) True
b) False
5. Dealing with people who are emotionally disturbed does NOT require a high degree
of skill and sensitivity.
a) True
b) False
6. Which of the following is NOT a recommended way to communicate with an EDP?
a) Encourage the person to respond.
b) Use calm, simple, direct instructional/ request
c) Address basic needs when appropriate (tissue, cup of coffee, ect.)
d) Falsely threaten arrest