The Mental Welfare Commission for Scotland has published a report on police use of Place of Safety orders in Scotland. These orders can be used by the police to detain a mentally distressed person for up to 24 hours so they can be assessed by a doctor.
Colin McKay, Chief Executive, Mental Welfare Commission for Scotland, said:
Our interviews with the police and with people who had been subject to a place of safety order revealed a high level of care and compassion from the officers involved. We welcome this, and commend Police Scotland’s approach.
Findings included:
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High levels of care and professionalism shown by police officers towards often highly distressed individuals, who were at risk of self harm.
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The vast majority of people subject to a place of safety order – 92% – were not judged by the doctors who assessed them as having to be detained in hospital.
A full copy of the report can be found here.
You can read more about this story on the Mental Welfare Commission for Scotland website at: New Report Story
