FOR64340 - Specialized Operational Support in Police Psychology

(3 units)

This course provides an overview of the support and consultation that police psychologists provide to a variety of specialized operations in many law enforcement agencies. The first half of the course focuses on the involvement of police psychologists in enforcement actions such as threat assessments, stalking, workplace violence, and criminal profiling. It includes the role of mental health providers in assisting police officers who respond to psychiatric emergency calls through initiatives such as the Psychiatric Emergency Response Team (PERT) as well as training officers in the most effective ways to interact with substance abusers, individuals experiencing homelessness, and those who are experiencing behavioral health challenges. The second half of the course focuses on police psychologists’ role in improving relations between the police and members of the community through strategies such as community-oriented policing and procedural justice. Police psychologists have a unique skillset to serve as a bridge and to facilitate healing in our communities.