Policing Homeless, AIDS Patients and the Mentally Ill 
Policing Homeless, AIDS Patients and the Mentally Ill
Learning Journal
Policing the homeless, people with AID, and people suffering from mental illness create major challenges for law enforcement. A. Mental illness in itself is not a police problem it is better suited for doctors to handle, but along with the mental illness comes crimes, suicidal people, and neighborhood disturbances which are all police problems. Police officers must evaluate the subject and determine if they pose a threat to themselves or other people in society and if they do the police officer should send that person to be evaluated by a mental health doctor. Police Officers must consider the persons mental state when contacting them for safety of both the officer and the mental ill person. Because mentally ill people may be delusional they may see the police as a threat and try to harm them. Also because these people don’t have the ability to pay for long term care their illness continues and worsens in time. The majority of incidents involving persons suffering from mental disorders do not result in violence. However, in some cases mentally disturbed persons can be extremely dangerous to themselves and those around them.
Because HIV and AIDS are spread through needle sharing and sexual behavior I don’t think there is an added risk general associated with being a police officer; however if an officer was to contact someone with HIV or Aids who was bleeding or combative (spitting or fighting with law enforcement) the risk would increase. Police should take into consideration when searching a person that they may be infected with AIDS or may have needles or other objects that can poke the officer. There are some precautions a law enforcement officer can take to better protect themselves, such as covering all cuts prior to start of duty. When searching some use caution to avoid needle sticks, use disposable equipment such as gloves, and masks and asking the person if
Learning Journal
Policing the homeless, people with AID, and people suffering from mental illness create major challenges for law enforcement. A. Mental illness in itself is not a police problem it is better suited for doctors to handle, but along with the mental illness comes crimes, suicidal people, and neighborhood disturbances which are all police problems. Police officers must evaluate the subject and determine if they pose a threat to themselves or other people in society and if they do the police officer should send that person to be evaluated by a mental health doctor. Police Officers must consider the persons mental state when contacting them for safety of both the officer and the mental ill person. Because mentally ill people may be delusional they may see the police as a threat and try to harm them. Also because these people don’t have the ability to pay for long term care their illness continues and worsens in time. The majority of incidents involving persons suffering from mental disorders do not result in violence. However, in some cases mentally disturbed persons can be extremely dangerous to themselves and those around them.
Because HIV and AIDS are spread through needle sharing and sexual behavior I don’t think there is an added risk general associated with being a police officer; however if an officer was to contact someone with HIV or Aids who was bleeding or combative (spitting or fighting with law enforcement) the risk would increase. Police should take into consideration when searching a person that they may be infected with AIDS or may have needles or other objects that can poke the officer. There are some precautions a law enforcement officer can take to better protect themselves, such as covering all cuts prior to start of duty. When searching some use caution to avoid needle sticks, use disposable equipment such as gloves, and masks and asking the person if