Graduation Year

2026

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree

Ph.D.

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)

Degree Granting Department

Mental Health Law and Policy

Major Professor

Kathleen Moore, Ph.D.

Committee Member

Liliana Rodriguez-Campos, Ph.D.

Committee Member

Paul Stiles, Ph.D.

Committee Member

Kristin Kosyluk, Ph.D.

Committee Member

Kathy Thompson, Ph.D.

Keywords

Diversion programs, Mental health, Police policy, Suicide prevention

Abstract

Even before the deinstitutionalization movement caused the influx of state hospital patients into communities ill-prepared to navigate their needs, law enforcement has been responsible for responding to persons in crisis (PIC) due to mental illness. In response to the high rates of incarceration for persons with mental illness (PMI), a growing number of law enforcement agencies have adopted diversion strategies referred to as police-mental health collaboration (PMHC) models to divert PMI away from the criminal justice system and towards community mental health services. Despite nearly forty years of research, there are still considerable knowledge gaps regarding who benefits from PMHCs and how these programs achieve positive outcomes. Using a three-study design grounded in collaborative evaluation principles, the overall objective of this dissertation is to contribute new knowledge about whether PMHC models reduce arrest rates equally across racial identity and how co-responder teams (CRT), a type of PMHC model, connect PIC to community mental health services.

To address these knowledge gaps, this dissertation used a systematic review, a quantitative study, and a mixed-methods study. Study One is a PRISMA-guided systematic review assessing the effectiveness of police-led PMHC models in reducing arrest outcomes across racial identities. Nineteen peer-reviewed U.S. studies met the inclusion criteria. Findings revealed that there was still too little research to draw conclusions about the impact of PMHC models while highlighting inconsistent demographic reporting and varied methodology. Study Two analyzes follow-up encounter data from a CRT unit to examine predictors of connection to community services among adults. Findings indicate that overall contact significantly increases the likelihood of service connection, but the contact method was only a significant connection predictor for suicide-related crises. Study Three examines juveniles using a mixed-methods design that integrates outcome data with CRT member interviews. While juveniles exhibit higher overall service-connection rates than adults, fewer statistically significant predictors emerge. Qualitative findings underscore the influence of legal guardian (i.e., parent) engagement on service connection for juveniles. Collectively, this dissertation contributes to understanding the value of collaborative evaluation approaches when assessing PMHC models and provides a foundation for developing standardized best practices in co-responder teams.

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