Report Summary
A Public Briefing explaining the issues surrounding mental health and policing. This Briefing provides details about the Scottish context along with work being conducted in this area. Published in May 2023.
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Wellbeing Duty
Unlike many other police services around the world, where tackling crime and promoting safety and public order are at the forefront of the policing mission, Police Scotland has a statutory duty to improve not just the safety of people, communities and localities, but also their wellbeing.
This means that the police service in Scotland has a part to play in proactively responding to, and safeguarding, people experiencing mental health distress, in terms of initial, immediate attendance.
Whilst the developing strategy around mental health and policing in Scotland may have many parallels with the recently published strategy for policing in England and Wales, it will be important to recognise the statutory duty in place in Scotland and what this will mean in practice.
