The police are said to be our trusty agents of peace and order in the community. They are the ones who curb violence and shush those who go against the law. However, some people still have trust issues with the cops. This is especially true for those with mental health problems. The mentally vulnerable have the fear that their complaints may not be heard by the right authorities.
But before we dive into their fears, we’ll first describe who are the mentally vulnerable people. This will enlighten us on what a mentally vulnerable person is and what are their fears against the police.
What Is Mental Vulnerability?
Mental health issues are not that easy to handle. Some people may hide their mental health problems with a big smile of theirs. That is why laypeople, and even the police force, may find it challenging to identify who possesses mental health issues. So who are the so-called “mentally vulnerable?”
The mentally vulnerable are the ones who face mental health problems or disorders. Due to this, they may have difficulty understanding and communicating the police process that they may undergo. Examples of such are arrests and detention, their presence in a police station, or the exercise of their rights and entitlements.
Mentally vulnerable persons may also not grasp what the police have asked them or the importance of what they are told in a police briefing. They may also be prone to becoming confused about their position, providing unreliable, misleading, or incriminating information without knowing or wishing to do so, acting on suggestions without any complaints or questions, or agreeing on propositions without hesitation.
There is no doubt about it: the authorities may have some difficulty identifying who are mentally vulnerable persons with these descriptions. That is why some people with mental health problems have hesitation in approaching the cops for their problems.
Who Are the Appropriate Authorities That Manage the Police Complaint System?
Mentally vulnerable persons may not know who are the appropriate authorities to approach on complaints against the police. They may also lack the confidence to speak to one as they may suspect some hidden agenda by these authorities. That is why there is a need to ask: who are the appropriate authorities that look upon the police and their procedures?
The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) gives the police force balance checks on their actions and procedures. They have the statutory duty to maintain public confidence in the police complaints system. Even people with mental health conditions may approach the IOPC with their complaints against the police. This is done in coordination with other organizations such as the Institute of Mental Health, National Health Service, Together UK, Hafal, Healthwatch-England, etc. These institutions advocate for mental health awareness and promote the complaints system made by the IOPC, especially for the mentally vulnerable people.
To Complain or Not? Significant Barriers on Why People with Mental Health Problems Do Not Complain to the IOPC
The IOPC, formerly known as the “Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC),” has been established since 2004. Yet, many people are still not aware of this organization. This claim is made accurate through the survey conducted by the IOPC in 2018. This is in coordination with the Institute of Mental Health. The survey targeted people with mental health problems in England and Wales and focus groups on different geographical locations in the UK.
Results reveal that 42% of the people did not know that the IOPC existed for their complaints. Several reasons also hinder mentally vulnerable people from complaining to the IOPC. These are as follows:
- 60% are not that confident in making a complaint. 32% will complain to the police force they are dissatisfied with, and 18% said they would direct their complaints to the IOPC.
- 46% are not that confident to file a complaint against the police, even if they experienced something terrible with the cops.
- 49% are afraid of harassment and other consequences, with rising cases of up to 58% for those who had an encounter with the police in the last 12 months.
- 60% fear of unfair treatment
- 62% have a belief of their complaint being unheard
- 54% are not that confident with the IOPC, with a rising case of up to 71% for those who had an encounter with the police for the last 12 months.
- 67% are not that confident that the police will handle their complaints neutrally.
Inasmuch as the IOPC intends to portray the “friendly police” image to the public, some people with mental health problems are not that confident in approaching the cops. Fear of harassment, ignorance on complaints, bias concerns, and the “complicated” complaints system are some of the reasons why mentally vulnerable people are afraid of approaching the police.
The statistics above further affirm this fear of mentally vulnerable people. The UK police system should have ample guidance and accurate responses for mentally vulnerable people. The public must also know their rights, such as the right to free legal advice and accessible mental health advice. These points may somehow help remove the stigma against police that they are bullies.
This article was prepared by the Association Against Abuse of Police Powers and Privileges (AAAPPP), a UK not-for-profit organisation specializing in assisting victims of abuse of power and corruption in the UK Police.
Very efficiently written information. It will be valuable to everyone who utilizes it, including yours truly :). Keep doing what you are doing – i will definitely read more posts.
Just want to say your article is as astonishing. The clarity in your post is simply cool and i can assume you’re an expert on this subject. Fine with your permission let me to grab your feed to keep up to date with forthcoming post. Thanks a million and please carry on the rewarding work.
I?¦m now not positive where you are getting your info, but good topic. I must spend a while finding out more or figuring out more. Thanks for great information I was on the lookout for this information for my mission.
Enjoyed looking through this, very good stuff, thankyou.
I think this website has got some very wonderful info for everyone :D. “Experience is not what happens to you it’s what you do with what happens to you.” by Aldous Huxley.
Super-Duper blog! I am loving it!! Will be back later to read some more. I am taking your feeds also.
It’s a shame you don’t have a donate button! I’d most certainly donate to this fantastic blog! I guess for now i’ll settle for bookmarking and adding your RSS feed to my Google account. I look forward to new updates and will talk about this blog with my Facebook group. Talk soon!
Only a smiling visitant here to share the love (:, btw outstanding design.
Attractive component to content. I simply stumbled upon your site and in accession capital to claim that I acquire in fact loved account your weblog posts. Any way I will be subscribing to your feeds or even I fulfillment you access consistently fast.
I really prize your work, Great post.
As I website possessor I believe the subject material here is rattling good, thankyou for your efforts.
This is very interesting, You’re a very skilled blogger. I have joined your rss feed and look forward to seeking more of your wonderful post. Also, I’ve shared your web site in my social networks!
Absolutely indited content, Really enjoyed reading.
I would like to express thanks to the writer for bailing me out of such a dilemma. Because of researching throughout the world-wide-web and finding ways that were not pleasant, I believed my life was gone. Existing without the solutions to the difficulties you have fixed by way of your main report is a crucial case, and the ones which could have in a negative way affected my entire career if I hadn’t come across your blog. Your actual skills and kindness in controlling a lot of things was very helpful. I’m not sure what I would have done if I hadn’t come upon such a step like this. It’s possible to at this point look ahead to my future. Thank you so much for this reliable and results-oriented guide. I will not be reluctant to propose your web page to any individual who needs to have tips about this area.
Some genuinely nice stuff on this web site, I love it.
Very clean web site, appreciate it for this post.
Great line up. We will be linking to this great article on our site. Keep up the good writing.
very good put up, i certainly love this web site, carry on it
I was very pleased to find this web-site.I wanted to thanks for your time for this wonderful read!! I definitely enjoying every little bit of it and I have you bookmarked to check out new stuff you blog post.
I conceive you have noted some very interesting points, regards for the post.
Good – I should definitely pronounce, impressed with your web site. I had no trouble navigating through all tabs and related info ended up being truly simple to do to access. I recently found what I hoped for before you know it in the least. Reasonably unusual. Is likely to appreciate it for those who add forums or anything, site theme . a tones way for your customer to communicate. Nice task.
Hi my friend! I want to say that this article is awesome, nice written and include almost all significant infos. I would like to look extra posts like this .
Great write-up, I?¦m normal visitor of one?¦s web site, maintain up the nice operate, and It is going to be a regular visitor for a lengthy time.
I am not real superb with English but I find this rattling easy to interpret.
This really answered my problem, thank you!
Hello! This is my first visit to your blog! We are a collection of volunteers and starting a new project in a community in the same niche. Your blog provided us beneficial information to work on. You have done a wonderful job!
Greetings from California! I’m bored to death at work so I decided to check out your blog on my iphone during lunch break. I enjoy the info you provide here and can’t wait to take a look when I get home. I’m shocked at how fast your blog loaded on my mobile .. I’m not even using WIFI, just 3G .. Anyways, superb site!
Thank you for posting such a wonderful article. It helped me a lot and I appreciate the topic.
It’s really a great and useful piece of information. I’m glad that you shared this useful info with us. Please keep us informed like this. Thanks for sharing.
You’ve been a great help to me. Thank you!
Please provide me with more details on the topic
I really appreciate your help
You helped me a lot by posting this article and I love what I’m learning.
Can you write more about it? Your articles are always helpful to me. Thank you!
How can I find out more about it?
Heya i?m for the first time here. I found this board and I find It truly useful & it helped me out much. I hope to give something back and help others like you helped me.
I think this is one of the most important information for me. And i’m glad reading your article. But should remark on some general things, The site style is great, the articles is really great : D. Good job, cheers
I like what you guys are up also. Such smart work and reporting! Keep up the excellent works guys I?ve incorporated you guys to my blogroll. I think it’ll improve the value of my site 🙂
I would like to thank you for the efforts you have put in writing this website. I am hoping the same high-grade blog post from you in the upcoming also. In fact your creative writing skills has inspired me to get my own web site now. Actually the blogging is spreading its wings rapidly. Your write up is a great example of it.
Somebody necessarily lend a hand to make critically articles I might state. This is the first time I frequented your website page and up to now? I amazed with the research you made to create this particular publish incredible. Great task!
I am really impressed with your writing skills as well as with the layout on your blog. Is this a paid theme or did you modify it yourself? Either way keep up the excellent quality writing, it is rare to see a nice blog like this one these days..
Hello! I just would like to offer you a huge thumbs up for the excellent information you have got right here on this post. I’ll be returning to your blog for more soon.
Its such as you read my thoughts! You appear to understand so much approximately this, such as you wrote the book in it or something. I think that you could do with some to force the message house a little bit, however instead of that, this is wonderful blog. A great read. I’ll definitely be back.
As I site possessor I believe the content material here is rattling magnificent , appreciate it for your hard work. You should keep it up forever! Good Luck.
Great post. I was checking constantly this weblog and I’m inspired! Extremely useful info specially the remaining part 🙂 I care for such information much. I was seeking this particular information for a long time. Thank you and good luck.
Hey There. I found your blog the usge of msn. Thhis
is a verry neeatly written article. I will make sure to bookmqrk
it andd return to rewd more off your useful info.
Thqnks for tthe post. I’ll certainly return.
You could definitely see your skills in the work you write. The world hopes for more passionate writers such as you who aren’t afraid to say how they believe. At all times go after your heart.
Wonderful work! This is the type of information that are supposed to be shared across the web. Shame on the seek engines for now not positioning this publish upper! Come on over and seek advice from my site . Thanks =)
Thanks a bunch for sharing this with all of us you really know what you are talking about! Bookmarked. Kindly also visit my web site =). We could have a link exchange agreement between us!
Usually I don’t read article on blogs, but I wish to say that this write-up very forced me to try and do it! Your writing style has been surprised me. Thanks, quite nice article.